Important Things to Know About Humans

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Alignment with Humanist Thought

Although Things to Know About Humans is not intended as a defense of humanism, or an explanation of it, I judge the contents to be broadly consistent with the major strains of modern humanist thought.

This page is an attempt to point out the major points of alignment between these things to know and the variously declared elements of modern humanism.

That being said, there is no single, universally accepted definition of the term humanism.

Instead there are multiple useful sources that generally converge on some repeated elements.

In the second table below I have tried to lay out the relevant things to know along with references to one or more of these sources, as identified in the first table below. Following the abbreviation for each source, I have identified the relevant element within that source (using added sequence numbering, where not already present).

Abbreviation Source
Bakewell Humanly Possible
HM III Humanist Manifesto III
Aspects Aspects of Humanism from Humanists International
DMH Declaration of Modern Humanism

Note that the first column contains an assigned sequence number based on appearance in sources. The second column contains the About Humans sequence number. You may click on a column heading to resort the table by that column.

Hu # AH # Thing to Know Humanism References
1 62 We feel a sense of shared humanity Bakewell - 1
2 11 We communicate via sophisticated languages Bakewell - 4
3 10 We observe the world around us HM III - 1.a
Aspects - 2.a
DMH - 1.b
4 23 We perform tests HM III - 1.b
Aspects - 2.b
5 53 Experts form peer groups DMH - 2
6 30 We figure things out HM III - 1.c
Aspects - 2.c
DMH - 2
7 67 We use critical thinking to tackle hard problems Bakewell - 3
HM III - 1.d
Aspects - 2.c
DMH - 2
8 31 We invent new things HM III - 1.e
9 32 We improve things HM III - 1.f
10 1 We are part of nature HM III - 2
Aspects - 1.b
DMH - 1.e
11 70 We recognize religions as human constructs Aspects - 1.a
12 14 We can choose to help or hurt one another Aspects - 5
DMH - 1.a
13 66 We practice and expect fair play Bakewell - 4
HM III - 3.a
Aspects - 4.b
14 61 We cultivate empathy Aspects - 4.a
DMH - 1.a
15 9 We favor individuation Bakewell - 2
HM III - 3.b
DMH - 1.b
16 37 Individuals adapt via autonomy HM III - 3.c
DMH - 1.b
17 29 We pursue growth and development HM III - 4.a
DMH - 1.b, 3.a
18 15 We forge identities that provide meaning HM III - 4.b
Aspects - 3
19 21 Culture provides a group’s operating system HM III - 4.d
20 71 First and last, there is wonder HM III - 4.c
DMH - 3.b
21 7 We live in cooperative groups HM III - 5
22 36 Groups adapt via cultural change HM III - 6
Aspects - 4.c
23 52 Written culture allow groups to expand DMH - 1.b
24 65 We think and care big picture and long-term DMH - 1.d
25 16 We understand that we are fallible DMH - 4.a
26 12 We make things for one another DMH - 1.d
27 68 We make art to communicate with others DMH - 3.b

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