Posts by Lawrence Kelly5

The American Civil Liberties Union just launched its brand-new discussion forum . This space is built specifically for anyone out there who identifies as a champion of humanist ideals and core civil liberties. If that sounds like you—and if you haven't already connected with the folks at Human Rights Watch—then consider this your official invitation to jump in and join the conversation!

When it comes to the heavy lifting of theory, we’re leaving that entirely up to this forum. We have zero interest in trying to compete with you guys—there’s no shortage of high-level theoretical debate or deep philosophical deep dives happening all over the internet, even without the Humanitas project. But when it comes to actually putting those humanistic values into practice? That’s where we step in. That’s what the Humanitas project is for. And honestly, how much impact we actually make will depend entirely on what every single one of us—current members, future supporters, and friends alike—is willing to contribute. The opportunity is right there on the table.

Exactly. We don't have that ready just yet—but that doesn't mean it isn't coming!

Don't get mad at me, but the Humanitas project is officially moving forward. And yes, we’ve carved out a dedicated space for philosophy right in the middle of it. If you’re into that, great—if not, that's fine too. We just finished a massive overhaul of the first major American humanistic portal under the "humanitas" domain, and I’m personally inviting our old friends to drop by every now and then. It would mean a lot to us. As for anyone new? Please, come take a look and see what we're all about; we’d be even more thrilled to have you. Anyone interested in contributing is more than welcome. This isn't some profit-driven corporate scheme, and there isn't some shadowy organization pulling the strings behind the scenes. It’s just a small group of enthusiasts (maybe even naive ones, if you want to be blunt). It feels a bit like the spirit of 1968, honestly, just without the heavy revolutionary vibes. Then again, humanists were never really the type to pick up a pitchfork and start a riot anyway. Besides, history shows that most revolutions end up being total washouts—mostly because those revolutionaries often couldn't care less about actual humanity or compassion. Humanitas is here to stay, carrying on the legacy that stretches from Cicero all the way back to the ancient concepts of paideia and philanthropy.

Whoa there, guys, slow your roll. There’s no grand initiation ceremony required to join the Humanitas community. Look, let’s be objective here: the only real requirement for membership is that you take a moment to decide if the Humanitas community is actually your cup of tea. If you decide it is, just fill out the application form on the Humanitas project website and mail it over to us.

That said, it wouldn't hurt to do a little homework first. Scour the website, read through the blog, maybe reach out for more info, or toss a question our way right here on the forum. I’m just saying—don't rush into this just because there isn't a membership fee. It’s a bit silly to sign up one minute and then decide to quit a day or two later. Sure, technically you could sign up and cancel within the same hour, but I don't know how much "seriousness" that shows. We’re trying to run a legitimate operation here. Let's try to show at least a shred of integrity—even if we aren't quite as unapologetically blunt as Diogenes from Sinope. Cheers!

The great Czech thinker, humanist, educator, theologian, and reformer—one of the true founding fathers of the modern school system and contemporary teaching methods—Jan Amos Komenský (1592-1670), described the current state of human affairs several centuries ago in his seminal work "Didactica Magna." Here is a fragment from a rather archaic, yet incredibly fluid and soulful American translation published by the American Educational Research Association back in 1871:

How do people actually stand compared to how they ought to be? Where is everyone’s rightful place? Nowhere. Everything is upside down, everything is backward, everything is in total disarray; because all order, all governance, and all our nobility have been scattered to the winds. Instead of the reason that should have allowed us to become like angels, many—through sheer laziness and negligence—are so foolish and dull that they know less about the most fundamental truths in the world than a common beast does*. Instead of being cautious, knowing we were created for eternity and should prepare for it, people not only forget about eternity but completely ignore mortality itself, throwing themselves solely into earthly, physical matters alongside their worldly wealth. Instead of heavenly wisdom, which consists in knowing God, the creator of all things, and seeking His favor, there is a spiteful turning away from that very God in whom we live, move, and exist, acting in opposition to Him. Instead of universal honesty and innocence, there is deceit, cunning, and insincerity toward everyone. Instead of a natural inclination toward kindness, there is envy and hatred; instead of trust, there is suspicion, judgment, and mutual gossip. Instead of harmony, there is discord; instead of justice, there is passion; instead of courage, there is secret envy and open hostility, fights, and wars. Instead of righteousness, there is oppression, guilt, enslavement, and theft; everyone acts only for their own benefit, scheming wherever possible. And those who are meant to lead others? They lead them toward evil. Those who should be a light for others, lacking any light themselves, are nothing but darkness. When even the realm of good is corrupted and unstable, it becomes merely a shadow or an illusion of what should truly be. If you cannot see this, know that it is darkness clouding your eyes, preventing you from seeing what is perfectly obvious. All wise people, looking not through the lens of delusion but through the clear sight of reason at themselves and others, see and know that it is no different. Since there is nothing harder in this world than breaking a habit, realize there is nothing harder than trying to guide and educate a human being who has been conditioned toward evil and misery. (* livestock)

If we look at civilization in terms of technology, the sheer volume and application of scientific knowledge, or even the organization of societies, human rights, and human dignity, there has been massive progress in the Western world since the days of Jan Amos Komenský. But when it comes to actual human decency, it feels like there has been almost zero progress since then—and perhaps, as many prominent modern thinkers warn, we are actually sliding backward.

Humanitas community*

*Recently established in New York, the Humanitas community aims to be a national association that connects and gathers people who care about the values inherent in the "humanitas" ideal of Western civilization. This high ideal was first articulated and affirmed during the era of the brilliant Roman thinker, statesman, and orator Cicero (106-43 BC). The "humanitas" ideal represents a synthesis of two earlier Greek ideals: the education of mind and body—"paideia"—and philanthropy, or love for humanity and humane behavior. It encompasses civility, enlightenment, humanity, gentleness, friendship, peaceableness, tolerance, kindness, grace, good taste, and a sense for science, culture, and the arts.