Collect The Little Book Of Humanism: Universal Lessons On Finding Purpose, Meaning And Joy Depicted By Andrew Copson Issued As Textbook
book brings together lots of humanist ideas and I did find the overarching themes, quotes and ideas good its just I didnt think they were out together in a particularly compelling way.
Its was just a bunch of stuff grouped into rough categories I know its just a “little book” but I think even just working with this material it could have been linked in a more engaging way.
very cute/basic and quick read! i love humanistic views, and enjoyed this quite a lot, what i didnt like so much, was the almost condescending view on religion and christianity, all in all, a/though, A deeply religious book
I think it was Camus who described Sartre as one of the most religious people he knew and this book follows in that tradition.
I think that I approached this book expecting something more like the writings of Bertrand Russell or Sartre but this was more like reading a magazine.
The book I felt relied heavily, as do of books that I have recently read on Eleanor Roosevelt, who herself was an Episcopalian.
This is not a criticism as many Christian writers rely on quotations from Friedrich Nietzsche, I did not really see any link between the photographs and illustrations and the text of the book, That said, there were some interesting quotations and the influence of Rene Descartes was fairly apparent on the writing here.
I would be interested to see the ideas in this book expanded upon as a series of essays, Concise yet will continue to repay a reread THIS is the little book that ought to be left in hotels or given out to each child as they reach their teenage years.
Many familiar quotes and points but great to have in one convenient little book, As I mentioned in an update, this wasn't anything that I hadn't already thought about or considered but just a really nice companion in between study sessions and as a reminder for what is truly important in life.
Right now, I feel a lot of inner turmoil and as a result, I turn a lot to journaling in order to sift through and reconcile the daytoday occurrences.
I found this book a really great compliment to this practice as it reaffirmed what my priorities were and help to reframe what I should and shouldn't give my energy to.
This is definitely not a book for everyone, but it would be quite astonishing to me if someone couldn't find at least one passage that didn't echo with them.
This particular excerpt made tears pool in my eyes:
What we often think about when we think about death is not our own death but the death of those we love.
So this is not really about death, It is about loss, an indeed our sense of loss at such times can be overwhelming,
But the feeling of grief is the price of love,
Which would you rather have Would you rather never have any love in your life or would you rather love, even though this means you will inevitably experience loss and grief as a result
sitelinkScotsman article Knyga apie humanizmą, požiūrį į gyvenimą ir su daaaaug citatų.
Daug filosofinių minčių kažkiek vargino, citatų atrodė per daug ir vietom galvojau kokio velnio aš čia skaitau, bet pradėtų knygų nemetu : radau įdomių minčių, susipažinau su humanizmu.
Gal popierinėje versijoje atsiskleistų knyga geriau, nes gausu iliustracijų, Fijn om me ergens in te herkennen en er staan absoluut mooie gedachten en uitspraken in, Zal het dus ook zeker nog weleens gewoon willekeurig ergens openslaan of één van de gedachten bij mijn vele markers lezen, maar uiteindelijk blijft het door het format wel aan de oppervlakte.
Ik ga toch liever iets meer de diepte in,
Tot slot twee quotes die aanstippen waar ik denk dat we in de huidige maatschappij ons zorgen om moeten maken, waar ik mij in elk geval zorgen om maak.
De ruimte om in gesprek of discussie te gaan in plaats van direct aan een digitale galg of schandpaal genageld te worden, dat doodt.
Ik geloof echt dat je pas ergens komt als je naar elkaar kunt luisteren en in gesprek kunt gaan en dat een palet aan meningen een noodzakelijk iets is voor een gezonde samenleving.
'Believing in the essential unity of humanity doesn't mean we have to think everyone is or should be the same.
A humanist view of society is based firmly on the benefits of free thought, free expression, and the free exchange of ideas.
To be human is to think, to reason, to contend, and to relate to fellow human beings, Without a diversity of views to encounter and a diversity of people to engage with, we'd be lessened as individuals.
'
'Humanists do not claim to know, we just ask you to be very wary of those who do claim to know.
Who told them What does their knowledge mean Why should you trust them Above all, don't take my word for it either.
Don't take anybody's word for it, Find out for yourselves. '
Stephen Fry b,patron of Humanist UK
, . .I highly suggest that anyone and everyone, religious or not, should read this delightful book, It would heighten your own faith in humanity, and it filled my heart with such joy and hope! One of the best introductions to humanism in print.
This is a good book, an excellent introduction to a realistic and healthy view of the world, It emphasises the importance of clarity and evidence, and appropriately, it does this clearly and with a reference list, At times it seems a little oversimplified, like it's pointing out the obvious, but this may be a good thing as it makes it more accessible, for example to children, or adults who don't read much.
And a lot of humanist philosophy is just pointing out the obvious, Strange, then, that it's so needed, but it is!
Mostly, this book is not oversimplified, it just says things clearly, in a straightforward way, which I like.
The quotes are wellchosen, from a diverse and also wellchosen range of people who are either selfdeclared humanists or, like many people who could enjoy this book, basically agree with 'humanist' principles.
Although the word 'humanist' excludes nonhuman animals, the humanist view, being based on science, does not exclude them, This is briefly covered, mainly on page,
There are no tediously long pieces of text, and it is organised nicely into nine chapters, so it can be read either one or two quotes at a time or in chapters.
Consequently, it suits any reading style, a quick read, with an impact, Might change your life if you're looking for a nudge,
Utterly unchallenging if you're already a humanist, and you may find you already are, As perfect an introduction or reminder of humanist thought as you could wish for, with memorable quotations and engagingly written.
Attractively presented with sumptuous illustration and photography for a reasonable price too, ideal for an alternative Christmas present, this book first criticises religion then insists humanists should be animal rights supporters then environmentalists, they even have a go at fat people, you cant be humanist and overweight!
its like theyre triying to piss people off and alienate them.
im a vegan, an environmentalist and an atheist, but i dont believe in pushing others to agree with me.
i love my friends as they are and believe they should make their own choices, i dont tell them why im vegan.
then the book starts ranting about how we are all unique amazing creatures, but that we are all the same and come from nature and isnt that incredible.
it is such a western perspective,
we are creatures of habit, we are dictated to by the neurology of our brains and past experiences, . . anyone with basic modern psychology knows this,
the framing of the narrative by the authors is naive and egotistical, as if they are the magical perfect people who are never wrong and are telling you The a Truth, while providing no evidence to back it up, just quotes from the past that support their views,
this is decidedly NOT the goto book for humanism as it has been dressed up to be,
perhaps if i rip out half the pages or just photocopy the three things i liked, ill have a starting point for a much better text that all humans can enjoy and appreciate, after all isnt that what humanism should be
something about us all that inspires us all, makes us consider our world and value all of the knowledge we have gained, whether that knowledge comes from religion or not.
A collection of thought provoking quotes and statements around the positive philosophy of humanism, The small hardback style of the book ironically makes it look like a Gideon Bible, although the text is obviously far from it! The images and photos do not add much, breaking up the text here and there.
My teenage kids accused me of joining a cult, I tried to tell them it is the polar opposite and without realising it they are very likely humanist in their views, but being kids they rolled their eyes and refused to listen! About five miles from where I live is a little village called Parkmill.
It attracts tourists and locals alike not only as a place to stop for ice cream, coffee and newspapers, but as the starting point for the beautiful coastal walk to Three Cliffs Bay, and many other walks heading inland to the countryside.
Roughly a hundred meters from this central point is a meadow, Its hidden bordered by trees and thick hedges and has no easily identifiable access point, I only discovered it by following a route in a battered guide book, Now dont get me wrong, its nothing remarkable it doesnt appear to have been farmed, gardened, or kept in any way, nor is there any natural focal point to attract attention.
It rests upon a gentle hillside, wider at the bottom, and narrowing to an invisible point at the top underneath many trees and a few craggy rocks.
As the grass is overgrown and a more easily walked lane runs around its perimeter, very few people apparently bother to enter.
But it's the way I choose to go, Every time I do so, I look back to see my freshly brushed aside and trampled down trail through the long grass behind me.
It's an exciting affirmation that I am clearly the only person who has wandered here in a very long time.
As I gaze, smell, listen and touch with heightened senses at all that is around me, I always feel a wonderful and overwhelming sense of being and, of being a part of this world around me.
This is not romanticised tosh, I think part of being a humanist is being a questioning realist, For all the beauty of the parading butterflies and fresh fragrances floating on the warm air, and the contrasting textures of the fauna and comforting songs of birds and humming insects, if you decide to look closely enough, there is also plenty of death and things none too pretty to see as well.
And in winter, there is mud and smells of things rotting which can instantly remove the lighter, more fragrant sensitivities of summer.
To say nothing of the dead and twisted trees, bare of leaves, which to the overimaginative can
look like gruesome hands of petrified wanderers sinking to agonising deaths.
But what I am trying to say is, and what humanism is for me, is that sense of feeling at one with the world and nature in all its beauty and perceived ugliness and appreciating it for what it is, and what it has become over time.
The other key for me is the thirst for questioning not a passive acceptance of instructions and promises but a genuine product of curiosity.
So invigorating, enlightening and truly liberating, What I find in this book are the written echoes of thoughts and feelings I have, as I stand, or sit reading or writing in this seemingly hidden meadow.
These thoughts may especially come to the fore when in nature, but they are there at all times,
Now I am not blind to the comfort and strength religion can give to some, its plain to see.
But I can only speak for my own beliefs and express what works for me, It has to be with things that can be seen, or proven, This is far from a position of closedmindedness on the contrary, it's infinitely wideopening and liberating for the mind, Our ability for constant questioning, searching and adapting is perhaps fundamental for the future existence of humanity, How can we do that following some of the rigidities of ancient dogmas
There are textual nuggets of enlightenment within this book from Andrew Copson and Alice Roberts both of Humanists, UK, but the book is mainly a wellchosen selection of quotes from a wide spectrum of people from scientists, writers, broadcasters, and the occasional celebrity.
There is much to ponder over, and many potential sparks to ignite further exploration, For a short quote that says much in its simplicity, I like this from Ricky Gervais, A humanist is someone who always tries to do the right thing, even though noone is watching.
Its a book you can open to almost any page and find something worthy to take away and contemplate.
From the books writers/editors we have:
Curiosity is right at the heart of being human, Curiosity leads us to examine ourselves and wonder who we are and where we come from, Curiosity produces extraordinary journeys of creative discovery and great art, Curiosity leads us to ask questions which motivate scientific investigation,
Many religions contain warnings about curiosity: dont ask too many questions dont ask for evidence dont allow yourself to doubt.
But for humanists, curiosity is a virtue,
Im glad to see quotes which reflect that the Humanist ideal is every bit as moral as the Godly, or even more so considering the logic of Gervaiss quote.
And pointing out that many things which some thank the Lord for, would be better aimed at thanking the resilience, dedication and hard work of ourselves.
Its funny, we do so much that is good in the world, yet unlike God or the gods, were the first to admit when we get it wrong, for which we relentlessly question, apologise and batter ourselves often centuries after the events!
Some of the usual names you would expect are here Carl Sagan, David Attenborough, Jacob Bronowski and Richard Dawkins etc.
But many more are unfamiliar, I will take pleasure in seeking their stories out,
'The Little Book Of Humanism' is a tactile book that is a joy to pick up, look at, and read.
There are many atmospheric illustrations some by anthropologist/TV historian Professor Alice Roberts herself, Contents are split into nine wideranging themes, For a so called little book,' it is a highly rewarding and stimulating read leaving much to digest and ponder over.
To see your beliefs expressed so eloquently by so many, in warm and satisfying logic, and in one finely bound volume is a unifying experience.
And for that very reason I would add the word emotional as well,
I can well and truly plant my flag on this island,
The The Little Book of Humanism's sales have been high and I hope that the logic and emotion of its content continues to spread.
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