User:AxiomOfFaith/Secular Humanism

Secular Humanism is a broad secular philosophy that espouses reason, ethics, and human flourishing, and specifically rejects supernatural and religious faith as the basis of morality and decision-making. Secular Humanism is a life stance that focuses on the way human beings can lead ethical, fulfilling, and productive lives.

Secular Humanism (capital "H") is distinguished from various other forms of humanism. Though Secular Humanism posits that human beings are capable of being ethical and moral without religion or God, that is not to say it assumes humans to be inherently or innately good. Nor does it present humans as "above nature" or superior to it; by contrast, the Humanist life stance emphasises the unique responsibility facing humanity and the ethical consequences of human decisions.

The term "Secular Humanism" was coined in the 20th century, and was adopted by non-religious humanists in order to make a clear distinction from "religious humanism". Secular Humanism is also called "scientific humanism". Biologist E. O. Wilson called it "the only worldview compatible with science's growing knowledge of the real world and the laws of nature".

Fundamental to the concept of Secular Humanism is the strongly held belief that dogma—be it religious or political—must be objectively examined at the level of the individual and not simply accepted or rejected on faith. Along with this belief, an essential part of Secular Humanism is a continually adapting search for truth primarily through science and philosophy.