Fundamentals of the humanistic worldview begin to form in childhood under the influence of training in educational institutions: kindergartens, schools.
Humanism is support for modern ideas of morality, ethics, justice and allows, without relying on fear and belief in the supernatural, to give people the understanding that each person’s life and personality is very valuable, that it is unacceptable to kill and cause any other harm.
What it is?
All words related to humanism are based on the Latin word. "Homo"that translates as "person".
This is partly due to the general meaning of the concept: humanism implies that life, and predominantly human, is the highest value.
In part - with the fact that qualities such as kindness, mercy, humanityare inherent only to people and belong to the highest human qualities, and are also closely related to the ideas that are embedded in the concept of “humanism”.
Humanism - a definition denoting a system in which human life, human comfort, his safety, freedom, health and happiness become the most significant and important.
This concept has a lot of other, narrower values, but the basis remains unchanged. Also, various philosophical currents interpret this definition in their own way.
For example, for Marxism humanism has nothing to do with individualism, and social comfort is defined as more meaningful, and the comfort of individuals — less important.
Most of the developed countries, one way or another, belong to the humanist.
The word "humanity"Equivalent in meaning to the more familiar word "humanity" and denotes the highest qualities of people, such as mercy, willingness to support and help, respect, philanthropy, the desire to choose the path of non-violence.
Different researchers, public and creative figures mean something of their own by humanity.
For example, Josh Walter believes that humanity implies a rejection of violence, a willingness not to cause anyone pain and discomfort to the extent that it is actually done. He is of the opinion that humanity consists of three components:
- altruistic aspirations;
- moral;
- volitional efforts that allow a person to suppress their own negative qualities and choose the path of humanity.
Without them, he believes speech about humanity can not be.
Respectively, people with a humanistic worldview:
- seek to renounce violence;
- believe that human life and happiness are the most important;
- in the process of life, they try to restrain their own selfishness and other negative qualities and choose the path that corresponds to their ideas of humanity and justice;
- accept the right of other people to live as they like, if it does not harm anyone;
- are of the opinion that the state should create conditions for a comfortable, safe and happy life of people;
- they realize that people are not perfect and have a lot of flaws, but they believe that in the process of the development of human civilization it is really possible to cope with many problems;
- We are convinced that a person’s creativity, self-development and adaptation abilities do not have limitations.
Many humanists identify themselves as atheists and deny the existence of supernatural beings. They look critically at reality and encourage a scientific approach.
Despite the fact that there are religious forms of humanism, this ideology is inherently not related to religiosity.
As already mentioned, the fundamentals of the humanistic worldview laid in childhood: they explain to the child that harming is unacceptable, develop his empathy so that he can better understand others and was ready to provide all possible assistance to those who need it.
Examples
Man's conviction in the correctness of his words and actions - the foundation of any worldview.
If a person, making a decision, is guided by ideas that are part of humanism, then his worldview can be considered humanistic.
Examples:
- Oksana - educator. She is convinced that every child has great value and potential, which can be opened if you make an effort. Even in difficult situations, she seeks to make a decision that she believes will benefit children’s development and will not harm their mental health. She is also confident that children should not be pressured, they should not be forced on rigid ideological and religious attitudes, and that every child should make a choice.
The characteristics of all children, even those who are called "difficult", she tries to take and find an approach.
- Vasily works as a paramedic in an ambulance, and his look at work and patients is different from the views of most other medical assistants, who believe that going to homeless people and alcoholics wallowing under the benches is a thankless task and it would be good if no one would call these people. is he trying to help everyone and just in case, conducts a thorough inspection even of those who, at first glance, do not need any help, to be sure that everything is done correctly. He is of the opinion that every person is important.
- Svetlana, a mother of three children, has broad views and has clear life principles, closely related to humanity. She is deliberately abandoned any violence against children and believes that violence for “educational purposes” unacceptably and inevitably leads to the development of mental disorders. Svetlana approaches every difficulty from a constructive point of view, and during every conflict situation she tries to explain her position to children and offers compromises, despite the fact that it is not always easy. She also tries to teach children to look at reality critically and rely on scientific research when analyzing certain situations.
Humanism in one form or another can be found in most artworks: in books, movies, cartoons.
AT computer games with a non-linear plot, the player is systematically offered to make a moral choice in certain situations, based on the circumstances, and it is only for him to decide whether to act humanely or not.
In the famous modern cartoon “Puzzle”, the plot is based on the idea that every human emotion is important and useful, even one that, at first glance, looks unpleasant and superfluous.
It also has a direct connection with the ideas of humanism, with humanity.
Modern humanism more focused on the comfort and happiness of individuals, on individualism.
Therefore, in artistic content, there are more and more situations in which the characters make a choice in favor of their own dreams and desires, rather than being led by society or the state.
Advantages and disadvantages
The ideas of humanism, as already mentioned, are interpreted by each ideology and philosophy in its own way, and within each of them it can get its own set of pros and cons. We give them a description.
The main advantages of the humanistic worldview:
- conscious non-violence has a lot of positives;
People who choose the path of non-violence will not be able to cause serious physical and mental harm to their children, friends, lovers, parents, and life and interaction with such people will be pleasant and peaceful.
- people learn to better understand those around them, their empathic abilities grow, which facilitates social interaction, reduces the number of conflicts, and simplifies the restoration of relationships in case of quarrels;
- people better understand the importance of mutual aid and are ready to extend a hand to their neighbors;
- they also have a great understanding of their own needs and desires, realizing that their happiness and well-being are important, as a result, they reduce the risk of developing mental illness, especially neurosis, depression;
- the younger generation is brought up in the framework of a humanistic approach that eliminates violence and cruelty and encourages a constructive approach;
- children are educated and raised in such a way that both education and upbringing bring them joy and pleasure, which strengthens their motivation and interest in learning;
- the needs and desires of children are respected, they are not required to provide emotional and other services.
Cons of a humanistic worldview:
- Like any idea, humanity changes in the perception of different people. Each idea can be distorted if desired, brought to the point of absurdity, fine-tuned to your own desires or simply misunderstood.
For example, a child who was taught to appreciate others, feasible to help them, but did not explain how to protect their own borders and how to act in potentially dangerous situations, can get into trouble if they want to help someone.
Therefore, it is important for parents and caregivers to fully address such issues with their children.
- Since the interpretation of humanism and humanity is ambiguous, even within a community of people who believe that their worldview is humanistic, conflicts may arise, especially related to acute social issues related to abortion, euthanasia, prenatal diagnosis. What is humane for one person is inhuman for another.
Features and value of education of humanity
The main features of the education of humanity:
- One of the foundations of such education - development of empathicism, the ability to empathize, sympathize, put yourself in the place of someone else.
Children analyze works of art; an educator or teacher may invite them to present and describe how a particular character felt, why he acted one way or another.
Role-playing games, polls (“How would you feel if someone offended your friend?”) And other techniques (for example, using real conflict situations between children) are also used.
- Children explain the difference between good and evil, between what is good and what is bad, in the process of playing games, reading works of art, in various life situations, and over time they begin to clearly understand the difference between these concepts.
- Exercises and games aimed at the development of humanityshould clearly correspond to the age and level of development of children. It is important to return as often as possible to topics related to humanity, so that children can properly understand and receive enough material for reflection.
A society in which humanity is one of the basics, more healthy, safe and harmonious, therefore it is important for parents and all educational institutions to cultivate this quality in children.
The more people in childhood absorb the basics of humanity, the less will be crimes, aggression, violence.
