What is philosophy?

Philosophy is a discipline that seeks to question and understand the world around us by exploring some of life's biggest questions. It aims to delve into the complexities of existence and meaning, from the nature of reality to our place in the universe.

For instance, many individuals ponder the existence of God and the meaning of morality, which have become major areas of inquiry in the field of philosophy. The philosophy of God focuses on exploring the concept of a supreme being or higher power, while ethics is concerned with the nature of right and wrong, and how we ought to live our lives.

Philosophy is fundamental to the development of other fields of human thought, including science, politics, and economics. It provides a framework for critical thinking and problem-solving, allowing us to examine complex issues and develop reasoned responses.

Moreover, philosophy serves as a foundation for our understanding of the world, providing us with tools to engage with life's most pressing questions. It challenges us to think deeply about what we believe and why we believe it, and encourages us to engage in reasoned and thoughtful debate.

In summary, philosophy plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world around us. It encourages us to question assumptions and think critically about complex issues, laying the foundation for other fields of human thought and inquiry. Without philosophy, our understanding of the world would be limited, and we would lack the critical thinking skills needed to navigate life's most profound questions.

An Educated Mind

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

- Aristotle

Aristotle's quote, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it," is a timeless reminder of the importance of intellectual curiosity and open-mindedness.

In a world where we are constantly bombarded with information and opinions, it is all too easy to fall into the trap of accepting ideas without critically examining them. However, Aristotle's quote challenges us to take a step back, to resist the urge to immediately agree or disagree with an idea, and to instead consider it from multiple angles.

By being able to entertain a thought without accepting it, we demonstrate our ability to think critically and engage with complex ideas. It also shows that we are open to learning and growth, and that we value the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.

This quote is particularly relevant in today's world, where polarization and division often seem to be the norm. By cultivating the ability to entertain thoughts without necessarily accepting them, we can foster a more inclusive and empathetic society, where differing perspectives are respected and valued.

Overall, Aristotle's quote serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of intellectual humility and critical thinking, and encourages us to approach the world with an open and curious mind.

Science-based Legislation on Darwin's Birthday

On Feb. 12, 2008, the Institute for Humanist Studies (IHS), hosted the first ever Humanist Legislative Advocacy Day.

Humanist activists in New York state came to Albany to persuade their elected representatives to support such issues as: access to emergency contraceptives; same sex marriage legislation; comprehensive sex education in the schools; and expanding therapeutic embryonic stem cell research.

"Today, you've made history, the largest minority group never to be counted was heard," said Matt Cherry, at an afternoon press conference in the Legislative Office Building.

"Get in the game," urged Cherry. "It's past time to fight back."

Throughout the day, approximately 20 humanists from all over the state met with more than 20 legislators and their staffs.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," said Ben Dreidel, 36, of Saratoga County, N.Y.

Dreidel is a member of the American Humanist Association, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and has started his own local atheist group. He heard about the advocacy day from the Humanist Network News.

"I wanted to lobby for something good and participate in the process," said Betty Gordon of the New York City Atheists, who had traveled almost three hours for the day.

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The Global Decline of Amphibians

The worldwide decline in amphibians has been attributed to several causes, especially habitat loss and disease. We identified a further factor, namely "habitat split"—defined as human-induced disconnection between habitats used by different life history stages of a species—which forces forest-associated amphibians with aquatic larvae to make risky breeding migrations between suitable aquatic and terrestrial habitats. More...

World Community Grid

World Community Grid's mission is to create the world's largest public computing grid to tackle projects that benefit humanity.

Our work has developed the technical infrastructure that serves as the grid's foundation for scientific research. Our success depends upon individuals collectively contributing their unused computer time to change the world for the better.

World Community Grid is making technology available only to public and not-for-profit organizations to use in humanitarian research that might otherwise not be completed due to the high cost of the computer infrastructure required in the absence of a public grid. As part of our commitment to advancing human welfare, all results will be in the public domain and made public to the global research community.

Making a difference has never been easier! Grid technology is simple and safe to use. To start, you register, then download and install a small program or "agent" onto your computer.

When idle, your computer will request data on a specific project from World Community Grid's server. It will then perform computations on this data, send the results back to the server, and ask the server for a new piece of work. Each computation that your computer performs provides scientists with critical information that accelerates the pace of research!

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Humanism in brief

Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. It provides the basis for a fulfilling and ethical life without religion. 

Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values. 

Humanists see no convincing evidence for gods, the supernatural, or life after death. 

Humanists believe that moral values are properly founded on human empathy and scientific understanding. 

Humanists believe we must live this life on the basis that it is the only life we'll have -- that, therefore, we must make the most of it for ourselves, each other, and our world. 

Humanist philosophies have arisen separately in many different cultures over many thousands of years. Whether or not they use the term humanism, tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world agree with the humanist philosophy of living a happy and productive life based on reason and compassion. More...

Another voice of hope is silenced

I find myself shaken again by news of the death of Benazir Bhutto, one of the most predictable events of an ugly year in world politics, yet one that remains strangely difficult to absorb. Of course, Benazir – born in Karachi in 1953, the privileged eldest child of a future Pakistani prime minister – is likely to remain as controversial a figure in death as she was in life, tainted both by her undoubted political failures as prime minister of her country in the 1980s and 1990s, and by a series of corruption scandals. 

Yet in the broad spectrum of Pakistani politics, there can be no doubt that Benazir spoke, in general, for the best of liberal and humanist political ideals: for a programme of human rights, democracy, education and welfare that places human development above any fundamentalist dogma, whether religious or economic. In that sense, she was a classic secular humanist of her and my generation; not a militant anti-religious atheist like the old humanists of the 1930s, but one determined to honour both the faith in which she had been raised, and the underlying universal values of compassion and human equality which she believed it reflected. More...