Humanism and Its Aspirations

Humanism and Its Aspirations (subtitled Humanist Manifesto III, a successor to the Humanist Manifesto of 1933) is the most recent of the Humanist Manifestos, published in 2003 by the American Humanist Association (AHA).[1] The newest one is much shorter, listing six primary beliefs, which echo themes from its predecessors:

  • Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis. (See empiricism.)
  • Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change.
  • Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. (See ethical naturalism.)
  • Life's fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals.
  • Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships.
  • Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness.

It has been used as source material for secular and atheist ethics. [2]

Signatories

The following academics and other prominent persons were signatories to the document, who signed the statement "We who sign Humanism and Its Aspirations declare ourselves in general agreement with its substance":

Notable signatories

Nobel laureates

22 Nobel laureates signed the statement, these being:

Past AHA presidents

AHA board

The then-current AHA board all signed, these being:

  • Melvin Lipman (president)
  • Lois Lyons (vice president)
  • Ronald W. Fegley (secretary)
  • John Nugent (treasurer)
  • Wanda Alexander
  • John R. Cole
  • Tom Ferrick
  • Robert D. Finch
  • John M. Higgins
  • Herb Silverman
  • Maddy Urken
  • Mike Werner

Drafting committee

Finally, there was the drafting committee of:

  • Fred Edwords (chair)
  • Edd Doerr (also included above as a past president of the AHA)
  • Tony Hileman
  • Pat Duffy Hutcheon
  • Maddy Urken

See also

References

  1. "Humanism and its Aspirations". American Humanist Association, 2003. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  2. "St. Paul's atheists are coming out of the closet". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved 2019-08-23.
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