Humanism Can Unite the World, Or Parts of It

WalesOnline reported on the possibility of Humanism providing for the need of unity and tolerance in the modern world.

Especially with the increasing divisions seen in the world with the increase connectivity of globalism and the onslaught of technological advances, we can only move forward with the encroachment of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the knowledge economy.

These changes seem inevitable. The question is less if and more when, and the answer: sooner than later. As the article states, “…it is sometimes easier to become entrenched in narrow beliefs and to ignore the expanse of thought and imagination that there is in the world and the commonality of libertarian belief that there is in the world whether that be related to a belief in God or a rational belief in none.”

However, argues the article from the perspective of Humanism, it can give scientific and rationalist basis for the development of creativity, free thought, and the proper framework for the affirmation of modern human rights for people, for individual human beings.

“Humanism is ethical; it affirms the worth and dignity and autonomy of the individual and the right of every human being to the greatest possible freedom compatible with the rights of others,” the article explained.

The purpose is to use the developments of science in a humanistic framework with compassion to direct the neutral tools and technologies of science more towards their constructive future.

Democracy and human rights become the societal and universal versions of these with the solutions to the world’s problems from them. Do theocracies advance democracy? No. Are they humanist? No.

In this, humanism does more readily support democracy and human rights than some of the other belief systems. Historically, this does seem to be the case.

“It believes that with personal liberty comes social responsibility. It is undogmatic, imposing no creed and is committed to education free of indoctrination,” the article reported, “It is like, ethical socialism, a lifestyle, aimed at maximising fulfilment through the cultivation of ethical and creative way of living and offers and ethical and rational means of addressing the challenges of our times.”

The inequities of the world in terms of the division of resources continue to separate with the wealthy outpacing the themselves in avarice. “We live in a world where it is predicted that by 2030 50% of the world’s wealth will be in the hands of 1% of the population. Half the world flourishes whilst half the world starves,” the reportage stated.

The societies of the world become less stable and the nationalism erise for various reasons with one being the continued discontent of the individuals involved in this endeavour.

Humanism may provide a framework upon which to provide for those needs, at least as a tacit philosophy embedded in universal human rights, science, and compassion. It would necessitate the reduction of the global inequality seen in the modern world.