Cosmic Skeptic: Why I Am Not a Humanist

[veganfortheanimals]

I agree, I don't consider myself a "humanist" for the same reasons you mentioned

[landis]

i feel the same way. i'm totally on board with humanism as opposed to theism, and i've calling myself a humanist, but i did always wonder why just humans in particular, like what makes us so special compared to other animals in the framework of morality?
i like "sentientism" i guess

[MissMeowy]

I am so thrilled that at some point in the future, i will be reading about Alex and his works and will be like, "I remember when he started on youtube. he was a force even then."

[RustyWalker]

I think this is one of those situations where humanism relates to our interactions with each other, and Veganism relates to our interactions with other Anamalia, a little like how you can advocate for equal rights and be a feminist. One idealises how society treats its members in principle, and the other restoratively redresses the balance between sections of that society, where one demographic has unearned privileges or another has been denied them.
In a Venn diagram, I would want to be at the point where Humanism and Veganism intersect.

[stevebrookes]

Thank you so much! You organize your thoughts so well, I am so jealous the way you explain your point of view. I can never explain why I am an Atheists and show my point of view.

[HelloBeast]

Respect +100, never thought of it that way.

[Daniel-wrql]

I'm so sure that Alex will be remembered in the same high standards as we hold Hitch or Dawkins or Harris right now. He's so well spoken and inspiring.

[anandita]

This is the reason i need Alex in my life. i could never explain why i dont call myself a humanist until today without confusing the shit outta people.

[yakayakayak]

"I'm just empty and looking for a word to make it full."

[seventhgaijinsamurai]

I’m sure in a podcast I recently listened to that Andrew Copson (of Humanists UK) said that the ‘human’ in the word is there as opposed to ‘supernatural’ and that it isn’t a human centred as opposed to animal, but merely that humans have a responsibility to the world.

[Sentientism]

I know, I know, Sentientism has too many syllables... :) It's still the right answer, though. Evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings.

[tatianawhittaker]

"Our athiests are pious people."
Max Stirner

[ONeill]

Fair enough, I don't agree as it's not mutally exclusive, or in a pecking order, and nor the goals of humanism to be opposed to veganism goals

[masisam]

Blooming heck - very good points raised

[brodie]

As a socialist and an atheist I've always assumed that humanism is more than not just not believing in a god but a striving to make the lives of my fellow humans a more happier and equitable existence.

[kapybara]

I think sentientism will be a much bigger thing in the future as opposed to humanism, specially as we get closer and closer to Artificial Conciousness

[fpcoleman]

Brilliant!
Just brilliant.
Looking forward to when you write books.

[sarastarkey]

I believe a 'Humanist' can and often does eat other animals and doesn't necessarily oppose vivisection, keeping animas in zoos et al. I am out, proud and very much an Animal and therefore believe I am an Animal Rightist and of course that means a Vegan.

[roqsteady]

I’m rarely if ever in a situation where I feel the need to put all the nuanced positions I hold on different issues and the many that I haven’t decided into a single pigeon hole word.

[johnkennedy]

On the other hand, when did a polar bear care about me? I.e. there is something exceptional about being human, especially if we argue that we have some moral responsibility for animals. Where is their moral responsibility towards us?