Humanism is ...

Humanism is a special worldview. According to the theoretical concept, man is the highest value. Practically humanism is a careful attitude to people.

The origin of the world view took place in the Renaissance, in the 15-16 centuries. At this time in Italy, and later in England, France, Holland, Germany, a large-scale movement was formed, directed against church despotism.

Speaking against the demands of religion to spend all of his earthly life in redemption of sins, humanists attributed man to the peak of the universe, asserting his right to happiness. They believed that people naturally aspire to pleasure, and also have the capacity for moral self-perfection, being spiritually free.

In response to critical statements of religious fundamentalists from the humanistic movement secular humanism was distinguished . This direction rejects faith, considering it a fundamentally illusory way of orienting people in the world. Thus, the ability to live according to ethical norms was asserted , without the use of religious hypotheses.

Humanism is (initially) the recognition of the value of the human person, her right to unlimited development and manifestation of the available abilities. A later interpretation of the term indicates the affirmation of the human good as a measure by which an assessment of social relations is made.

Trying to express the principle of humanism in one sentence, the authors receive the following phrase: "Everyone has the right to strive for happiness and freedom." According to the theory of worldview, people can not be used. Humanism is the care of a person.

In accordance with the views of this worldview, people's lives are priceless, special care should be shown towards the weak: children, disabled people, women. In the pedagogical sphere, humanism is represented by the statement that every child has a positive core - he just needs to help develop.

It is believed that all children are born free. Humanism opposes imposing a particular world view on the child, believing that he (the child) can determine his own path. Education in this case should exclude manipulation and coercion. Ideally, you should get a harmoniously developed personality, a happy and free person.

It should be noted, however, that humanism has always been criticized. Often this criticism was justified. Overly careful attitude to people (both children and adults) has a downside. For example, those who were protected from drafts in childhood were sick more often, and those who were protected from difficulties were more likely to experience them. Undoubtedly, any movement forward is unthinkable without errors. At the same time, the humanistic principle "Do no harm" with respect to a person prohibits making mistakes.

It should be noted a curious fact that until the 17th century surgery was a barbers' business, not doctors. Doctors had to observe the humanistic principle - they were forbidden to violate the integrity of the skin of patients. The operation was conducted by a barber, and the learned doctor sat at the chair and directed the operation, loudly reading the directions. Today, of course, the principle is not understood so literally. Modern surgeons have the right and duty to damage the patient's skin in the name of saving his life.

In our time, the development of the worldview is also experiencing some difficulties. Some authors point to certain excesses in the humanistic perception of the world. For example, people with disabilities who recognize themselves as oppressed minorities are protesting today against conducting prenatal diagnostics that allow women to abort future children with disabilities. Thus, when humanism over-protects the weak and sick, their number in society begins to increase.