The Happy Human is an icon and
the official symbol of the International
Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). The IHEU is the world union of more than one
hundred Humanist, rationalist, irreligious,
atheistic,
Bright,
secular,
Ethical
Culture, and freethought
organizations in more than 40 countries. The "Happy Human"
is the official symbol of the IHEU as well as being regarded as a universally
recognised symbol for those who call themselves Humanists. Secular humanist
organizations are found in all parts of the world. Those who call themselves
humanists are estimated to number between four and five million people worldwide.
The trademark is still held by the British Humanist Association, which freely licenses use of the symbol by bona fide Humanist organisations worldwide. Many Humanist organisations use the symbol or an adapted version of it.
The philosophy or life stance of secular humanism (alternatively known by some adherents as Humanism, specifically with a capital H to distinguish it from other forms of humanism) embraces human reason, ethics, social justice and philosophical naturalism, while specifically rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, pseudoscience or superstition as the basis of morality and decision making.
It posits that human beings are capable of being ethical and moral without religion or a god. It does not, however, assume that humans are either inherently evil or innately good, nor does it present humans as being superior to nature. Rather, the humanist life stance emphasizes the unique responsibility facing humanity and the ethical consequences of human decisions. Fundamental to the concept of secular humanism is the strongly held viewpoint that ideology—be it religious or political—must be thoroughly examined by each individual and not simply accepted or rejected on faith. Along with this, an essential part of secular humanism is a continually adapting search for truth, primarily through science and philosophy. Many Humanists derive their moral codes from a philosophy of utilitarianism, ethical naturalism or evolutionary ethics, and some advocate a science of morality.
The trademark is still held by the British Humanist Association, which freely licenses use of the symbol by bona fide Humanist organisations worldwide. Many Humanist organisations use the symbol or an adapted version of it.
The philosophy or life stance of secular humanism (alternatively known by some adherents as Humanism, specifically with a capital H to distinguish it from other forms of humanism) embraces human reason, ethics, social justice and philosophical naturalism, while specifically rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, pseudoscience or superstition as the basis of morality and decision making.
It posits that human beings are capable of being ethical and moral without religion or a god. It does not, however, assume that humans are either inherently evil or innately good, nor does it present humans as being superior to nature. Rather, the humanist life stance emphasizes the unique responsibility facing humanity and the ethical consequences of human decisions. Fundamental to the concept of secular humanism is the strongly held viewpoint that ideology—be it religious or political—must be thoroughly examined by each individual and not simply accepted or rejected on faith. Along with this, an essential part of secular humanism is a continually adapting search for truth, primarily through science and philosophy. Many Humanists derive their moral codes from a philosophy of utilitarianism, ethical naturalism or evolutionary ethics, and some advocate a science of morality.
External links
- British Humanist Association page on the symbol
- Humanism is Eight Letters, No More — An endorsement of the Happy Human by some leaders of the IHEU, including former Presidents of the IHEU, Rob Tielman and Levi Fragell.
- Origins of the Happy Human logo based on information from Humanist Society of Victoria, a member organisation of CAHS
All credit for this post goes to the people who wrote the websites and submitted the content from which I did copypasta (with editing). Thanks.
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