Religion is currently gaining a much higher profile. The number of faith schools is increasingly, and religious points of view are being aired more frequently in the media. As religion's profile rises, those who reject religion, including humanists, often find themselves misunderstood, and occasionally misrepresented. Stephen Law explores how humanism uses science and reason to make sense of the world, looking at how it encourages individual moral responsibility and shows that life can have meaning without religion. Challenging some of the common misconceptions, he seeks to dispute the claims that atheism and humanism are 'faith positions' and that without God there can be no morality and our lives are left without purpose. Looking at the history of humanism and its development as a philosophical alternative, he examines the arguments for and against the existence of God, and explores the role humanism plays in moral and secular societies, as well as in moral and religious education. Using humanism to determine the meaning of life, he shows that there is a positive alternative to traditional religious belief.
Humanism: A Very Short Introduction
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Stephen Law is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Heythrop College, University of London.
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23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Sphex
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Stephen Law hits the ground running with this excellent introduction to humanism, exactly what is needed when space is limited and life is short. Within a religious context, the "big questions" - Does God exist? What makes for a meaningful life? What makes things morally right or wrong? Is there an afterlife? - often invite interminable and confused responses that can make you wish you hadn't bothered asking. No wonder many people are indifferent to organized religion, as falling church attendance shows. While the pressures to conform to a particular religious tradition may have largely gone away (at least in modern Europe), the questions haven't. For those with a taste for this kind of inquiry and who don't want to be fobbed off with supernatural explanations, humanism provides a satisfying framework, and this book a rigorous and readable guide.
There is no single snappy definition to which all humanists sign up. Indeed, a lack of doctrine is part of its appeal, but this does not mean that anything goes, or that humanists turn to intellectual mush when faced with questions about ethics or the existence of gods or angels. It's the approach to these questions that matters. Humanists "believe science, and reason more generally, are invaluable tools we can and should apply to all areas of life". Reason is the bedrock of humanism as it can never be for religion, which ultimately appeals to faith, and often takes pride in faith trumping reason. An emphasis on reason does not have to diminish human emotional experience or eliminate love, hope, purpose and everything else that goes to make life worth living: humanists value these aspects as well.
Law continues his "seven-point characterization of humanism": "humanists are either atheists or at least agnostic...... Read more ›
There is no single snappy definition to which all humanists sign up. Indeed, a lack of doctrine is part of its appeal, but this does not mean that anything goes, or that humanists turn to intellectual mush when faced with questions about ethics or the existence of gods or angels. It's the approach to these questions that matters. Humanists "believe science, and reason more generally, are invaluable tools we can and should apply to all areas of life". Reason is the bedrock of humanism as it can never be for religion, which ultimately appeals to faith, and often takes pride in faith trumping reason. An emphasis on reason does not have to diminish human emotional experience or eliminate love, hope, purpose and everything else that goes to make life worth living: humanists value these aspects as well.
Law continues his "seven-point characterization of humanism": "humanists are either atheists or at least agnostic...... Read more ›
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By D. Smith
Format:Paperback
This is a lucid and accessible account of modern-day humanism, marred slightly by some repetition. The author, Stephen Law, is a philosophy lecturer who knows his subject well and who acts as an advocate rather than as a neutral observer.
In the introductory chapter, he outlines a "minimal, seven point characterization" of the humanist worldview. He suggests most humanists: believe science and reason are invaluable tools that can be applied in all areas of life; are sceptical about the existence of gods and other supernatural beings; don't believe in an after-life; take a strong moral stance; encourage individual moral autonomy; consider that life can be meaningful without recourse to religion; and "favour an open, democratic society in which the state takes a neutral position with respect to religion". Subsequent chapters deal with: the history of humanism; arguments for and against theism; humanist views on morality, education, secularism and 'the meaning of life'; and humanist ceremonies.
Several general points occur to me. First, humanism comes across as 'sensible' rather than 'inspiring'. Second, it tends to be presented as an alternative to Christianity rather than as a worldview standing in its own right. Third, it is not clear whether humanists share a common view on environmental issues and on the treatment of animals. Perhaps the author might have anticipated and responded to misgivings such as these.
In the introductory chapter, he outlines a "minimal, seven point characterization" of the humanist worldview. He suggests most humanists: believe science and reason are invaluable tools that can be applied in all areas of life; are sceptical about the existence of gods and other supernatural beings; don't believe in an after-life; take a strong moral stance; encourage individual moral autonomy; consider that life can be meaningful without recourse to religion; and "favour an open, democratic society in which the state takes a neutral position with respect to religion". Subsequent chapters deal with: the history of humanism; arguments for and against theism; humanist views on morality, education, secularism and 'the meaning of life'; and humanist ceremonies.
Several general points occur to me. First, humanism comes across as 'sensible' rather than 'inspiring'. Second, it tends to be presented as an alternative to Christianity rather than as a worldview standing in its own right. Third, it is not clear whether humanists share a common view on environmental issues and on the treatment of animals. Perhaps the author might have anticipated and responded to misgivings such as these.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you want to know what humanism is, read this book. It is clear, it is concise, it is cheap.
By Mark Lyn
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't envy the editor of this series of books because it may be difficult deciding from which perspective any particular title should be written. Whilst it is certain that the book 'Racism: a very short introduction' should not be written by a racist it is equally certain that the book 'Feminism: a very short introduction' should be written by a feminist. Having not read the former I would imagine though that its title should read 'Anti-Racism: a very......'or something similar to add some consistency between title and perspective in this informative series. 'Humanism: a very short introduction' is written by a humanist.
This book is very easy to read, it is clearly written and easy to follow. It also offers no critique of the humanist position. Stephen Law reiterates from several different locations at the beginning of the book that Humanism is not just about being an atheist {or agnostic} or that it is not about being super rational, he then goes on to devote the vast majority of the book explaining why humanists do not believe in God. Much of this writing is engaging, entertaining and thought provoking - on the issue of why God probably does not exist. Law never ventures very far from this topic. The arguments he presents against the existence of God are all predicated on rationality. Even here Law does not open up the discussion to explore the nature of rationality - its ability or inability to stand outside of itself or the degree to which it can be understood outside the confines of history. Law tries hard to avoid this position - but one can't help but feel that Rationality becomes the new religion.
In limiting the issue to that of religion, Law is being disingenuous or writing in a very limited scope.... Read more ›
This book is very easy to read, it is clearly written and easy to follow. It also offers no critique of the humanist position. Stephen Law reiterates from several different locations at the beginning of the book that Humanism is not just about being an atheist {or agnostic} or that it is not about being super rational, he then goes on to devote the vast majority of the book explaining why humanists do not believe in God. Much of this writing is engaging, entertaining and thought provoking - on the issue of why God probably does not exist. Law never ventures very far from this topic. The arguments he presents against the existence of God are all predicated on rationality. Even here Law does not open up the discussion to explore the nature of rationality - its ability or inability to stand outside of itself or the degree to which it can be understood outside the confines of history. Law tries hard to avoid this position - but one can't help but feel that Rationality becomes the new religion.
In limiting the issue to that of religion, Law is being disingenuous or writing in a very limited scope.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Who for if not for me?
I was happy to read this my first book on humanism. I was not happy about the way it was written, partly because I can not see who it is for. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Charles Simmonds
5.0 out of 5 stars
Humanism in a nutshell
I was looking for a book that I could recommend to people to who ask me what Humanism is. This book is a very good introduction. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Blaise F. Egan
2.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, but too much focused on (anti-)religion
This book is worthy of it's title. A short introduction about the history of humanism and contemporary humanism. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Jeroen
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of an amazing series by OUP.
First, I wish to declare that this series by Oxford Universtity Press is extensive, currently having in excess of 200 titles of all interests. Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2011 by B. Carter
1.0 out of 5 stars
Epic, Epic Fail
Imagine you are in a bookstore or are browsing Amazon book pages and you come across a book that aims to introduce you to vegetarianism. Read more
Published on 4 April 2011 by Dr. Bojan Tunguz
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