Western liberal humanism is not something that comes…
“Western liberal humanism is not something that comes naturally to us: like an appreciation of art or poetry, it has to be cultivated. Humanism is itself a religion without God-not all religions, of course, are theistic. Our ethical secular ideal has it's own disciplines of mind and heart and gives people the means of finding faith in the ultimate meaning of human life that were once provided by the more conventional religions.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Humanism requires deliberate cultivation, unlike innate appreciation of art, and serves as a secular source of meaning akin to religion.
In simple terms: Humanism must be cultivated as a secular source of meaning.
Cultivate humanist values deliberately.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education
- community building
- personal development
- public policy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster humanist values?
- What practices nurture secular meaning?
Cultivation can be uneven across societies.