Humanist Manifesto III, a successor to the Humanist Manifesto of 1933
Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without
supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives
of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
The lifestance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by
compassion, and informed by experience—encourages us to live life well and
fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts
of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully
wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance.
This document is part of an ongoing effort to manifest in clear and
positive terms the conceptual boundaries of Humanism, not what we must believe
but a consensus of what we do believe. It is in this sense that we affirm the
following:
Knowledge of the world is derived by observation,
experimentation, and rational analysis. Humanists find that science is the
best method for determining this knowledge as well as for solving problems and
developing beneficial technologies. We also recognize the value of new
departures in thought, the arts, and inner experience—each subject to
analysis by critical intelligence.
Humans are an integral part of
nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change. Humanists recognize
nature as self-existing. We accept our life as all and enough, distinguishing
things as they are from things as we might wish or imagine them to be. We
welcome the challenges of the future, and are drawn to and undaunted by the yet
to be known.
Ethical values are derived from human need and interest
as tested by experience. Humanists ground values in human welfare shaped by
human circumstances, interests, and concerns and extended to the global
ecosystem and beyond. We are committed to treating each person as having
inherent worth and dignity, and to making informed choices in a context of
freedom consonant with responsibility.
Life’s fulfillment
emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals. We
aim for our fullest possible development and animate our lives with a deep
sense of purpose, finding wonder and awe in the joys and beauties of human
existence, its challenges and tragedies, and even in the inevitability and
finality of death. Humanists rely on the rich heritage of human culture and the
lifestance of Humanism to provide comfort in times of want and encouragement in
times of plenty.
Humans are social by nature and find meaning in
relationships. Humanists long for and strive toward a world of mutual care
and concern, free of cruelty and its consequences, where differences are
resolved cooperatively without resorting to violence. The joining of
individuality with interdependence enriches our lives, encourages us to enrich
the lives of others, and inspires hope of attaining peace, justice, and
opportunity for all.
Working to benefit society maximizes individual
happiness. Progressive cultures have worked to free humanity from the
brutalities of mere survival and to reduce suffering, improve society, and
develop global community. We seek to minimize the inequities of circumstance
and ability, and we support a just distribution of nature’s resources and
the fruits of human effort so that as many as possible can enjoy a good life.
Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to
diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold
the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular
society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic
process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and
beauty in a secure, sustainable manner.
Thus engaged in the flow of
life, we aspire to this vision with the informed conviction that humanity has
the ability to progress toward its highest ideals. The responsibility for our
lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone.
Humanist Manifesto is a trademark of the American Humanist Association - © 2003 American Humanist Association
Humanist Manifesto I
Humanist Manifesto II
