Humanism: A Beginner's Guide (updated edition)

Description

Life does not become empty and meaningless in a godless universe. This is the contention at the heart of humanism, the philosophy concerned with making sense of the world through reason, experience and shared human values. In this thought-provoking introduction, Peter Cave explores the humanist approach to religious belief, ethics and politics, and addresses key criticisms. Revised and updated to confront today's great crises - the climate emergency and global pandemics - and the future of humanism in the face of rapid technological advancement, this is for anyone wishing better to understand what it means to be human in the twenty-first century.

Peter Cave is a philosopher, Patron of both Humanists UK and Population Matters. Having lectured for many years, he is now Honorary Associate Lecturer at the Open University and often takes part in public debates on religion, ethics and socio-political matters. He is author of many articles and books, including The Big Think Book, Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide and Ethics: A Beginner's Guide, which are also published by Oneworld. He lives in Soho, London.

'A book for our times.' -- Polly Toynbee 'Peter Cave brings to a serious subject his characteristic wit and humour, as well as wide knowledge and sharp insight. This is a very readable introduction to humanism - and a deeply human one.' -- Richard Norman, Emeritus Professor of Moral Philosophy, University of Kent 'An admirable guide for all those non-religious...who may wake up to the fact that they are humanists... What we have in common is, indeed, not faith but our humanity.' -- Sir Bernard Crick, Emeritus Professor of Birkbeck College, University of London, and author of In Defence of Politics