Humanism as a philosophy Free PDF Book by Corliss Lamont (1949)

This book is a philosopher's testament. In it, I have tried to describe in clear and simple terms that fully rounded the philosophy of life that I call Humanism. I have given my own version of the much-debated concept of Humanism, and both expect and welcome disagreement with my interpretation of a viewpoint that in its fundamentals goes back at least as far as Athens of the fifth century B. C. and the great Age of Pericles.In my treatment, I have aimed at conciseness and have written what is essentially an introduction to the Humanist philosophy. Accordingly, I have discussed very briefly or have omitted entirely the details of many philosophic problems that in a longer work would certainly merit extended consideration. For example, though I am well aware of the profound influence of social and economic factors upon philosophy, I have had space to sketch in but little of that background.This volume constitutes an expansion and revision of a lecture course entitled "The Philosophy of Naturalistic Humanism" given by me at Columbia University, 1 946- 1 949. I am grateful to the editors of The Humanist, The Journal of Philosophy and The Journal of ReligionChapter I The Meaning of Humanism1. The Importance of Philosophy2. The Meaning of Humanism 173. Different Kinds of Humanists 29Chapter H The Humanist Tradition 401. Philosophic Forerunners 402. Religious Roots of Humanism 623. Cultural Background 77Chapter IH This Life Is All and Enough 1001. The Unity of Body and Personality 1002. Some Other Considerations 1203. The Destiny of Man 134Chapter IV Humanism's Theory of the universe1. Science and Its Implications 1452. The Rejection of Dualism and Idealism. 164^3. The Universe of Nature 1834. The Appreciation of Nature 212Chapter V Reliance on Reason and Science 2291. Five Ways of Seeking Knowledge 229-2. Modern Scientific Method 2363. Science and the Meaning of Truth 258Chapter VI The Affirmation of Life 2731. The Ethics of Humanism 2732. The Social Grood and Individual Happi-ness 2973. Humanism and Democracy 3104. A Humanist Civilization 333NOTES 351SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 357INDEX 359ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 369Author: Corliss LamontPublication Date:1949