Customer Reviews

Humanist Manifesto 2000

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I am confused by some of the reviews. Many seem to think that their not agreeing with a philosophy is grounds to say that you should not read this book. I find that rather upsetting. I would not say that the Bible is a bad book just because I don't believe in god. Unfortunatly, now that I have said this, the same type of people who wrote the reviews I speak of will give me bad ratings because they do not agree with what I say, not based on the content of my review.
The bottom line is, if you are interested in learning more about Humanism, whether to defend or attack it, this is the book for you, it gives a good summary of the Humanist view of things, in a short and to the point pamphlet. But when you are reading, please remember, just because you do not agree with me is no reason to insult my character, and it is same with this book.

This is a small but thought provoking book that deserves wider attention than it will undoubtedly get.

Humanist Manifesto is a summary of a humanist based ethical system that could be used to guide our actions in putting our species into a more peaceful and just course of action. Kurtz' organizes the principle clearly and they are compelling. Little argument is marshalled, wisely leaving the reader to figure out how it could be implemented, both in his own life and that of society as a whole. Yes, it is idealistic and envisions worldwide institutions to support improvements, but the vision is so clear and simple that the reader can actually believe that much maligned scientific naturalism could be the basis for a compelling ethical system.

Excellent for humanists who may need to be reminded that their chosen life view is a powerful tool for changing the world for the better, as well as for those who do not share that world view and need an introduction to a positive ethical framework.

Highly recommended!

This book is a great base for those who do not wish to receive the torment of organized religion forcing individuals to accept their faith or become a bane to society. Within it are numerous example of how to lead a non-religous life while still embrace morality and tolerance. I reccomend this book to anyone who wishes to find an outlet to repressed opinions and didnt know how to properly express them or would like to know more about being a humanist.

The "Right" in America likes to use the word "Humanism" to describe the enemy. Humanists are described as atheists and as amoral more than any other way. This is despite the obvious moral relativity deviations including the invasion of Iraq under profoundly dubious premises. It is Humanists that are accused of having an "end justifies the means" mentality.

This Manifesto, signed by nearly 150 scholars worldwide, is a plan for an international culture of cooperation. It is futuristic including plans for the ecology, education, agriculture and manufacturing that includes all of mankind's participation.

This book reflects the thinking that a better world can exist once the greed of global business is tamed. In this regard it is utopian. That hope is unlikely to bear fruit in any of our life times. Yet, it needs to be stated. The world is guaranteed of no relief for starving and warring Africans, and underclass throughout the world or of the continued despoiling of our eco system without a statement like this Manifesto being made.

That being said, here are some things this book is not:
-An amoral screed designed to give people a reason to do what they wish. The Manifesto is replete with personal and national responsibilities for the betterment of all of us
-A call for Communism or Anarchy. There is no statement that is anti-capitalism only the run away corporate greed that provides us with the likes of Enron or bid less government contracts like Halliburton.
-Anti-Religious, the Manifesto calls for the end of all religious persecution and intolerance world wide.
-"Take from the rich and give to the poor", it requires all people to be given equal advantages and to return to society, the benefits of those advantages.

Human ethics based on reason...what an idea! Well written, well-argued.(Also read "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris.) Let's hope we're evolving toward this.

This is a must read. And once you do, read it again. This is what the world sould be striving towards! A common sence approach to life. This book goes over the seeds to solutions to some of the worst problems in this world.

Expecting a book that could justify the cost, was I surprised when I opened the box. This thing is tiny! It is 8 x 5 and a half inches, is only 3/8th of an inch thick and has all of 76 pages. And the type is, oh, about 12 point with lots of white space. I read this while going to the bathroom.

And that's about the best place I can think to store this pamphlet. That or next to the bed so it can help you get to sleep. What a bunch of Utopian crap! Clearly written at the end of the Clinton era, before 911, the gist of the argument is in favor of a World Government. Yeah, right, tell that to the Chinese...

I was very disappointed, as you can tell. This should sell for no more than a few dollars a copy and have a disclaimer that it is very outdated; the world has moved on. Even at the time it was written the idea of having the world run by a global entity was already out of vogue. If we humanists want to make the world a better place then let's first improve our own spheres of influence; we still have to deal with the creationist museum here in the U.S. before we start thinking of going global.

Save your money. The only reason I can think of to buy this book would be if you needed to write an essay about the history of the Humanist movement; in fact, I think that's what this is. I just bought someone's homework...

Tragically Kurtz drags humanism down the well worn path of global collectivism in keeping with the socialist slant that underpins much of this manifesto's yearnings and regrettably much of the Humanist leadership and community.

The call for an international government body and the policing of various entities under a type of global judicial fiat that Kurtz waxes poetic for should chill the bones of the reader who believes in liberty and human rights grounded in individual responsibilities. Kurtz offers a vision for the future which is in monolithic antipathy to those of us who have recognized the necessity of a libertarian focus if we are to achieve a successful, sustainable humanist aim.

The appeal for a mega-state that Kurtz places his humanism faithfully within, is inimical to those who celebrate freed minds and freed lives. The idea of the state as benevolent social guardian and moral arbiter has seduced academics and peasants alike for ages. Yet history shows that the more a society predicates its future upon the ever growing machinations of the state, the greater individuals suffer. I have no reason to believe a worldwide governing body would fare any better, no matter how humanist based it claimed to be. A libertarian based humanist manifesto has yet to be penned or even cogently voiced, but its time is long overdue .

Nations represent the uniqueness of thier people. Should all people of this world conform to one way of life?
also, consider the economic consequences