Humanism As the Next Step [Paperback]

Lloyd Morain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1998

Nowhere else in the United States is there available a book like this. While there have been technical studies of humanism in the past, never before has there been such an authoritative, popular treatment of the whole field. It is for the 20% of the population who no longer receive satisfaction from traditional religions and technical philosophies. A much-needed resource for people who have independently come to an alternative to religious faith--whether they call themselves humanists or not.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...beckons to all with friendly prose and clear reason." -- Lou Harrison, composer and musician

"Humanism As the Next Step is clear, direct, and comprehensive. It is a useful and readable introduction to humanism by two people whose life work have helped to make humanism what it is today. Anyone looking for a relevant and constructive way of living in the modern world will find it truly helpful in his/her search." -- Howard Radest, philosopher and founder of The Humanist Institute

"A noble and practical book written by two outstanding examples of the nobility and practicality that is at the heart of humanism, Lloyd and Mary Morain." -- Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice & the Blade and Sacred Pleasure

"Beautifully and intelligently answers all the relevant questions about humanism that anyone would want answered. Succinct and comprehensive!" -- Albert Ellis, president of The Albert Ellis Institute for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

"For many centuries unification has been the dream of visionaries. In recent decades it has been recognized as an imperative. The Morains present humanism as a system of thought and a commitment to values focused on unity in diversity, the key to a rich and serene personal life and to the survival of humanity beset by self-generated threats." -- Anatol Rapoport, scientist, philosopher, and general semantician

"I admire the campaign you're waging for humanism." -- Arthur Hoppe, syndicated columnist

"In Humanism As the Next Step, Lloyd and Mary Morain have performed an invaluable service, not only by competently defining humanism, but also by masterfully answering virtually every conceivable important question about a philosophy to which they have dedicated their lives. Whenever I think of humanism, I think of the Morains -- two individuals of uncommon decency, integrity, intelligence, tolerance, and courage." -- Werner Fornos, president of The Population Institute

"In this increasingly globalized world, where people of diverse backgrounds and cultures find themselves meeting together every day to solve common problems, a need arises for a philosophic and religious view with universal appeal. Humanism, by no means a new idea, could be that philosophy, one that embraces the concept of a common humanity and the ideals of all major religions. Lloyd and Mary Morain's Humanism As the Next Step explains clearly what humanism is and how it can enrich everyone's lives." -- Anne H. Ehrlich, population scholar and author

"This book should be required reading for everyone turned off by what is going on around us every day...the endless power struggles, commercialism, exploitation, and ever worsening violence against those least able to protect their rights and lives....I could not put it down once I started reading, and took notes because there is so much that is so important....It is such an inspiring and encouraging work...beautifully organized and most impressive. Humanism certainly offers a...positive belief structure that supports women's needs and demands for justice." -- Fran Hosken, editor of Women's International Network News

"Your humanism is a very much down-to-earth philosophy of daily living....Here, unquestionably, is the viable alternative...the promise of a more meaningful as well as more equitable society." -- Lester Mondale, Ozark philosopher

From the Back Cover

Inspirational/Philosophy

New Revised Edition from Humanist Press

Humanism As the Next Step -- the only book of its kind available in America today!

While there have been technical studies of humanism in the past, never before has there been such an authoritative, popular treatment of the whole field.

In Praise of the First Edition (1954):

"A book which carefully preserves the undogmatic excellence of the humanist philosophy."

--Manas

"...pioneering material on the worldwide humanist revolution."

--Julian Huxley

"A significant book."

--Eleanor Roosevelt

"At last I can feel comfortable applying the humanist label to myself."

--Margaret Sanger

Mary Morain's interest in social reform led her to leave professional social work and teaching to become a full-time organizational volunteer, serving on the boards of many nonprofit organizations. In the 1940s and 1950s, she was on birth control boards in Massachusetts and San Francisco and participated in pioneering world conferences and meetings on family planning. Past president of the International Society for General Semantics, she has edited four books in the field. Both she and her husband Lloyd are Fellows of the World Academy of Art and Science.

Lloyd Morain, a former president of the American Humanist Association and editor of the Humanist magazine, was a founding director of the International Humanist and Ethical Union. He has worked in various capacities for industrial, mining, motion picture, and utility companies, including Earth Sciences, San Francisco Films, and the Illinois Gas Company. He has served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations, including the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. His book, The Human Cougar, explores the life of working drifters.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 145 pages
• Publisher: Humanist Press; Revised edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 093177909X
• ISBN-13: 978-0931779091
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,263,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good look at the basics of Humanism, December 31, 2001

By 

Paul Lappen (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Humanism As the Next Step (Paperback)

Humanism is a system of belief that feels that problems can best be solved by logical, perceptive thinking and understanding the wway the world works. It doesn't believe in placing faith in a deity or philosophy where matters are accepted on faith and held to be true for all time.

In early days, religion was used to explain natural occurrences like life and death, summer and winter. People now have scientific answers to such questions. Humanism is a philosophy without heaven, divine revelation or sacred scriptures, so humanists fix their attention on this life.

To a humanist, God can be thought of as nature, as goodness in people or the way things work in the universe. An impersonal conception of God is not necessarily rejected, but there are better ways to express these parts of nature. The truthfulness of sacred scripture like the Bible or Koran is less important than how well they serve as inspirational guides for some people. Some humanists do go to church, in more liberal congregations like Quaker, methodist, liberal Jewish, or Unitarian-Universalist.

There are two elements that make up the Humanist approach to personal problem solving. The first is a state of mind of self-reliance and confidence. There are perfectly natural reasons for people's actions, not the conjunction of the planets or the configuration of crystals. The second is to keep an open mind and be reluctant to jump to conclusions.

Knowing absolutely nothing about Humanism before starting this book, I had no idea what to expect. The authors do a fine job at painlessly taking the reader through Humanism. Anyone who is not satisfied with, or oherwise questioning, their present religion, could do a lot worse than read this book.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant down-to-earth guide on the Humanist philosophy., August 18, 1999

By 

Beth K. Lamont ([e-mail]) (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Humanism As the Next Step (Paperback)

Humanism as the Next Step by Lloyd and Mary Morain is a brilliant down-to-earth guide to the Humanist philosophy. It is totally positive and deeply inspiring, written in a style that is easy to read and to understand. This book gives a great introductory overview for the general reader, but even more, its joyful presentation will surely be a delight for the newly aware Humanist who's just discovering that there's actually a name for the earth-oriented, human-focused, non-religious lifestance which they have chosen. When one rejects supernatural religious belief and follows the logic of their own reasoning, there may be no comfort or reassurance at all in this position; quite the contrary, one's stance might alienate or antagonize significant others, and cause one to feel isolated. This book is a joyous affirmation of the Humanist philosophy! How comforting to know that there are millions of other Humanists out there! It will serve also to reaffirm the convictions of even a long-time Humanist. And because it's jam-packed with important historical references: names, dates, descriptions and documents, so handy, right at the fingertips, every Humanist leader/speaker/teacher, as well, will find it indispensable.

Sometimes Humanists can get bogged down with the burden of feeling responsible, knowing full well that there's no quick fix or easy out; there's no supernatural guidance for decision-making, no absolution for our shortcomings. Humanism is not for the faint-hearted. It's hard work "shivering in the draft of an open mind." This book is filled with very practical information and examples for helping us to tackle our problems with Humanist fervor and wisdom, and I'm finding that it is a great comfort to me.

In early 1980 I enjoyed reading the First Edition of the Morain's book at the publisher's offices. Later I found a well-worn, book-marked copy on Corliss Lamont's desk top, beside his own The Philosophy of Humanism, and among other favorites by Payne, Dewey, Kurtz, Russell, and Santayana. How wonderful and appropriate that Humanism as the Next Step has been newly published by Humanist Press, along with a chapter by Frederick Edwords so concise it could even serve as Humanist Manifesto III. The group photo used for the book cover is like a little reunion of the human family and reminds that we are not really alone, but that we have each other.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thnk You, Lloyd and Mary Morain!, August 10, 2000

By 

Charles Rose - See all my reviews

This review is from: Humanism As the Next Step (Paperback)

I cannot praise this book highly enough. It is brief, easy to read, informative, and deeply inspiring. If you are a humanist like me then you will be moved by this work. If you want to know more about secular or religious humanism for any reason then this book is essential reading. My only complaint is that I was done with the book much too soon; I want to read more!

"Humanism as the Next Step" contains a brief overview of the history of modern humanism and the earlier cultural and philosophical movements that have led up to it. It introduces the reader to the humanist heritage by looking at some of the works and words of some of the more notable humanists. And it explains in clear, common-sense language just what humanism is and what it means for those who are committed to it.

This book looks at humanism in all its subtle variations, including both "secular" humanism and "religious" humanism. Both terms actually mean basically the same thing, which can be confusing for new students of humanism. As the Morains put it, "Whether or not one looks at humanism as a religion, as a philosophy, as a life stance, or as a way of life is, we believe, largely a matter of personal temperament and preference."

I was impressed by the way the Morains (and Fred Edwords, whose insightful essay "The Humanist Philosophy in Perspective" is included), explained the humanist view in a clear, logical, and easily understood manner. This satisfied the secular humanist in me. But they also looked at the aspects of humanism which are, for lack of a better word, "spiritual." This gratified the religious humanist in me. As a logical thinker with a bit of a spiritual bent I found that both sides of my being were being spoken to, and very persuasively. Indeed, this is what I find so wonderful about the humanist perspective. It allows me to find meaning, wonder, and moral guidance in life while following the guidance of reason. While traditional Western religion puts reason and spirituality at odds, humanism integrates them. But sadly this essential aspect of humanist thought is neglected by some humanist writers, who focus excessively on the critique of popular religious myths and not enough on the joyful, awe-inspiring nature of life when viewed through the humanist lens.