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 Humanismóguided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experienceóencourages
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 experienceóeach
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.