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Quote by Paul Kurtz

“Secular humanism is avowedly non-religious. It is a eupraxsophy (good practical wisdom), which draws its basic principles and ethical values from science, ethics, and philosophy.”

Quote by Paul Kurtz

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Paul Kurtz
Paul Kurtz

Paul Kurtz was a prominent American philosopher, writer, and advocate for science. Born on December 21, 1925, and passing away on October 22, 2012, Kurtz is known for his contributions to scientific rationality, atheism, and liberal thought. more

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“In contemporary society secular humanism has been singled out by critics and proponents alike as a position sharply distinguishable from any religious formulation. Religious fundamentalists in the United States have waged a campaign against secular humanism, claiming that it is a rival "religion" and seeking to root it out from American public life. Secular humanism is avowedly non-religious. It is a eupraxsophy (good practical wisdom), which draws its basic principles and ethical values from science, ethics, and philosophy.”

Has BeensStatesPhilosophyValuesReligiousUnitedPrinciplesUnited StatesAtheismPositionDrawsEthicsRootsCriticsHumanismSeekingPositive AtheismCampaignsPracticalsContemporaryEthicalSecularRivalsPublic LifeBasic PrinciplesContemporary SocietyEthical ValuesNon ReligiousSecular Humanism
Author:Paul Kurtz
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“Homo religiosus invents religious symbols, which he venerates and worships to save him from facing the finality of his death and dissolution. He devises paradise fictions to provide succor and support... In acts of supreme self-deception, at various times and in various places he has been willing to profess belief in the most incredible myths because of what they have promised him.”

Has BeensSelfBeliefReligiousFictionSupportAtheismWillingWorshipIncrediblesVariousPositive AtheismMythSupremeSymbolsDeceptionParadiseSelf DeceptionDissolutionFinality
Author:Paul Kurtz
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“As I see it, creative achievement is the very heart of the human enterprise... The destiny of man, of all men and of each man, is that he is condemned to invent what he will be - condemned if he is fearful but blessed if he welcomes the great adventure. We are responsible in the last analysis, not simply for what we are, but for what we will become; and that is a source of either high excitement or distress.”

IfsMenHumansHeartLastsDestinyCreativeAtheismAdventureSourceAchievementResponsibleBlessedPositive AtheismAnalysisExcitementEnterpriseFearfulDistressGreat Adventure
Author:Paul Kurtz
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“The overriding need is "to develop a new Planetary Humanism" that will seek to preserve human rights and enhance human freedom and dignity and will emphasize our commitment "to humanity as a whole." The underlying ethical principle "is the need to respect the dignity and worth of all persons in the world community." Thinkers as diverse as Peter Singer and Hans Küng also emphasize the need for a new global ethic beyond nationalistic, racial, religious, and ethnic chauvinism.”

WorldNeedsHumansPersonsWholeHumanityCommunityReligiousPrinciplesRightsAtheismEthicsCommitmentDignityHuman RightsHumanismPositive AtheismSingersPreservesEthicalThinkerPeterDiverseHuman FreedomChauvinismNationalisticEthical Principles
Author:Paul Kurtz
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“Human life has no meaning independent of itself. There is no cosmic force or deity to give it meaning or significance. There is no ultimate destiny for man. Such a belief is an illusion of humankind's infancy. The meaning of life is what we choose to give it. Meaning grows out of human purposes alone. Nature provides us with an infinite range of opportunities, but it is only our vision and our action that select and realize those that we desire.”

MenGivingHumansActionLife IsDesirePurposeOpportunityBeliefForceGrowsRealizingVisionDestinyAtheismIllusionUltimateInfiniteIndependentRangeHuman LifeMeaning Of LifeSignificanceCosmicHumankindDeitiesOur ActionsSelectInfancyLife Has No Meaning
Author:Paul Kurtz
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“We need to be skeptical of utopianists who offer unreliable totalistic visions of other worlds and strive to take us there. We need some ideals, but we also need to protect ourselves from the miscalculations and misadventures of visionaries.”

WorldNeedsVisionAtheismOffersProtectIdealsStrivePositive AtheismSkepticalVisionariesOther WorldsUnreliableMiscalculationsMisadventure
Book:The New Skepticism: Inquiry and Reliable Knowledge
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