In Search of Our Humanity

Book excerpt: Russian philosopher Valery A. Kuvakin reviews the major principles of humanism as the starting point for an overall definition of humanity. Humanism, as definied by Kuvakin, is based on the scientific method, seeks objective knowledge, is anthropocentric, uses reason as its guiding principle, and extolls common sense based on scientifically verifiable knowledge without any restriction from tradition, customs, political systems, or religion. Arrayed against these humanist values are the "pseudovalues" of the paranormal and irrational faith, and the "antivalues" of greed, corruption, addiction, violence, and environmental destruction. Avoiding both the heaven of our fantasies and the hell of our own making, humanism offers the 21st century the basis for establishing a just, free, and sane society.