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1. What is Naturalistic Humanism?
Naturalistic Humanism is a new way of thinking about ourselves and others. It can help us transcend the judgmental thinking and blame tearing our society apart so that we can reach the extraordinary future that awaits us.
Learn more: More About Naturalistic Humanism
2. What are the core concepts of Naturalistic Humanism?
The core concepts of Naturalistic Humanism begin with an experimental mindset and a naturalistic model of human behavior. Together, they offer a more constructive way to understand ourselves, other people, and society.
Explore: Core Concepts
3. What is an experimental mindset?
An experimental mindset combines learnable skills, such as critical thinking, with the curiosity, playfulness, creativity, imagination, and willingness to make mistakes that come naturally to every child.
Learn more: The Experimental Mindset
4. What is the naturalistic model of human behavior?
The naturalistic model is an approach to understanding human experience based on evidence and reason.
It is based on reason because it does not treat human behavior as the sole exception to causation. Like everything else in our universe, human behavior results from genetic, developmental, social, and environmental influences.
It is based on evidence because it rejects the conventional belief that people are naturally selfish, greedy, and unwilling to contribute unless coerced. Ample evidence indicates that, when people receive the necessary developmental support, they are naturally inclined to care, cooperate, participate, and contribute.
Learn more: The Naturalistic Model
5. What are metawareness and proanthropy?
Metawareness is the recognition that, given everything leading up to a particular moment, we always behave in the only way possible.
Proanthropy is the understanding that, when people receive the necessary developmental and life support, they are naturally inclined toward caring, cooperation, participation, and contribution.
Explore: Metawareness | Proanthropy
6. Must someone be an atheist or reject religion to participate?
Absolutely not. Naturalistic Humanism regards belief in God or an afterlife as a personal matter that can coexist with a naturalistic understanding of human experience. For Naturalistic Humanists, how we understand and respond to the human experience matters most.
Learn more: Casting a Wide Net | Embracing Believers | No Time to Waste
7. How can Naturalistic Humanism improve our lives and relationships?
Naturalistic Humanism shows how blame and judgmental thinking can damage our self-image, our relationships, and society as a whole. By explaining why these judgments are unjustifiable, it helps us let go of destructive thoughts and feelings and respond with greater understanding.
Explore: Personal / Interpersonal | Naturalistic Support
8. What kind of society does Naturalistic Humanism envision?
Applying metawareness and proanthropy to society dismantles the justification for extreme inequality—lavishing excessive rewards on some while allowing many others to endure lifelong hardship. Varied economic outcomes are acceptable, provided we eliminate the titanic gulf between society’s ceiling and floor.
Learn more: Societal
9. What is The Center for Naturalistic Humanism and how can I participate or support it?
The Center for Naturalistic Humanism is a nonprofit corporation organized to promote Naturalistic Humanism. Support can include membership, volunteer work, or a tax-deductible (to the extent permitted by law) monetary contribution.
As a newly formed 501(c)(3) organization, the Center welcomes founding donors. Contributions of time are also immensely valuable. Volunteers are needed for social media, website maintenance, local groups, administration, and many other activities.
Get involved: Become a Member | Volunteer or Participate | Make a Contribution
10. What is Naturalistic Spirituality?
In Naturalistic Humanism, “spiritual” describes experiencing reality in a way that connects us with a larger, more cosmic picture and transcends ordinary day-to-day experience. It does not refer to anything supernatural.
Naturalistic spiritual experiences can occur through a variety of cognitive, emotional, and perceptual states. They all involve a beneficial, momentary interruption of our everyday thoughts.
Learn more: Naturalistic Spirituality
11. How is Naturalistic Humanism different from other forms of humanism?
Naturalistic Humanism shares many of the empirical and scientific values of Secular Humanism and some of the progressive social vision of Religious Humanism. It differs in several important respects, including its ethical framework, its understanding of human nature and motivation, its approach to community, its acceptance of personal faith-based beliefs, and its primary focus on transforming how we understand human behavior.
Learn more: Naturalistic Humanism and Secular Humanism
12. Who developed Naturalistic Humanism?
Arnell Dowret is the founder of The Center for Naturalistic Humanism, Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to promote Naturalistic Humanism.
Dowret hosts the weekly radio program Naturalistic Support on New York City’s WBAI 99.5 FM, where he presents material from his book Why History Has Not Yet Begun and engages live with listeners. For 18 years, he hosted Equal Time for Freethought, America’s longest-running radio program for the freethinking community.
Learn more: About Arnell