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Not religion, ideology: secular humanism too seems to operate on a narrative that technological and cultural progress will continue without interruption from ch

Not religion, ideology: secular humanism too seems to operate on a narrative that technological and cultural progress will continue without interruption from chaotic cosmological catastrophe, that those things contribute to human happiness while ignoring that humanity has higher rates of mental illness and slavery today than any other time in a global world culture defined for the last 200 years by technological progress. Scientific altruism is just as much a faith and just as exploitable as religious dogma by powerful people and organizations.

CamperBob2 11y ago
There are quite a few problems with your assertions, such as the fact that it's hard enough to gather good statistics on mental illness in the present time, much less over the past 200 years, and the idea that secular humanism should somehow concern itself with "cosmological catastrophes" that humans can't do anything about. Finally, it's not clear that your last sentence really tells us much about the nature of altruism. What can't be turned into a matter of faith by someone whose business is selling faith?
xacaxulu 11y ago
I doubt scientific altruism is just as exploitable as religious dogma. I think the abysmal record of religion in such fields as education, race relations, gender equality, human rights, slavery, genocide, rape, the outright fighting of scientific advancements including stem cell studies, etc., can stand as its' own negation of your statement.
- pm90 11y ago
  Well, religion isn't always bad w.r.t literacy at least. Many Catholic institutions were the first to introduce and run very good english-medium schools in India, which have benefited millions. It actually had its own term: "convent schools".
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- reilly3000 11y ago
  Religious beliefs center around sacrifice of 'earthy' norms to satisfy an ideal moral logic. That way of thinking doesn't stop when you leave the halls of worship. It leads to self-righteousness that is ultimately destructive in the world around you. Humility is not often slung from fiery pulpits, except that it is perverted for ensuring the dominance of that leader's place in moral authority. Scientific altruism places faith in innovation. It can allow us to ignore reality, assuming someone else will fix things. We should aspire to be scientists in our own lives. Not accepting conclusions at face value and working to improve understanding for people beyond ourselves.

CamperBob2 11y ago

There are quite a few problems with your assertions, such as the fact that it's hard enough to gather good statistics on mental illness in the present time, much less over the past 200 years, and the idea that secular humanism should somehow concern itself with "cosmological catastrophes" that humans can't do anything about. Finally, it's not clear that your last sentence really tells us much about the nature of altruism. What can't be turned into a matter of faith by someone whose business is selling faith?

xacaxulu 11y ago

I doubt scientific altruism is just as exploitable as religious dogma. I think the abysmal record of religion in such fields as education, race relations, gender equality, human rights, slavery, genocide, rape, the outright fighting of scientific advancements including stem cell studies, etc., can stand as its' own negation of your statement.

pm90 11y ago
Well, religion isn't always bad w.r.t literacy at least. Many Catholic institutions were the first to introduce and run very good english-medium schools in India, which have benefited millions. It actually had its own term: "convent schools".
- deleted 11y ago
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reilly3000 11y ago
Religious beliefs center around sacrifice of 'earthy' norms to satisfy an ideal moral logic. That way of thinking doesn't stop when you leave the halls of worship. It leads to self-righteousness that is ultimately destructive in the world around you. Humility is not often slung from fiery pulpits, except that it is perverted for ensuring the dominance of that leader's place in moral authority. Scientific altruism places faith in innovation. It can allow us to ignore reality, assuming someone else will fix things. We should aspire to be scientists in our own lives. Not accepting conclusions at face value and working to improve understanding for people beyond ourselves.