Preface
Introduction: The Battle for Secularism
Section 1 — Basic Categories
I: The Secular Humanist Prospect in Historical Perspective
II: Naturalism and the Future
III: Naturalism, Secularism, and Humanism
Section 2 — Secular Morality
IV: The Ethics of Secularism
V: Morality Is Natural
VI: Affirming Life
VII: The Pursuit of Excellence: Raising the Level of Taste and
Appreciation
VIII: A Good Will
IX: Neo-Humanism
X: A Modified Naturalistic Ethical Theory
Section 3 — Secularism and Religion
XI: Skeptical Inquiry and Religion
XII: Why I Am a Skeptic about Religious Claims
XIII: Religion in Conflict: Are "Evangelical Atheists" Too
Outspoken?
XIV: The Passion as a Political Weapon: Anti-Semitism and the
Gospels
XV: Creating Secular and Humanist Alternatives to Religion
Section 4 — Humanism and Politics
XVI: Is America a Post-Democratic Society?
XVII: The New American Plutocracy
XVIII: Can We Bridge the Great Cultural Divide?
Section 5 — The Rise of India and China
XIX: The Industrial-Technological Revolution
XX: The New China and the Old
Section 6 — Personal Reflections
XXI: The Convictions of a Secular Humanist
XXII: The Transformation of Universities
XXIII: Final Reflections: Perhaps Facing Death
Index
Paul Kurtz is chairman of Prometheus Books and Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo. In addition he is the founder of the Committee of Skeptical Inquiry, Council for Secular Humanism, and the Center of Inquiry. He is the author of numerous books and articles including Embracing the Power of Humanism and Skepticism and Humanism: The New Paradigm.
-Multisecularism is a collection of essays by philosopher Paul
Kurtz (1925), mainly editorials from Free Inquiry and Skeptical
Inquiry from 2000-2008, plus some essays that have been published
in other journals or books. In this book these editorials and
essays form a coherent humanist philosophy. . . . Kurtz has coined
many new terms in his long career, 'multisecularism' is the latest.
He also issued humanist manifestos, all of which have been endorsed
by a long series of prominent scientists, philosophers, and
writers. In these Manifestos he sets the agenda for what humanism
is and how it relates to current world affairs.- --Floris van den
Berg, theradicalhumanist.com -In the ongoing battles over the role
of religion in public life, Paul Kurtz remains a sound voice of
reason. Multi-Secularism lays out a clear and engaging vision of a
secular future showing how both capitalism and organized religion
will have to contend with increasing calls to humanize the world of
business and markets and the dogmatic aspects of religion. A book
well worth reading whatever your religious affiliation or
persuasion.- --Arthur Caplan, Emmanuel and Robert Hart Director of
the Center for Bioethics and the Sydney D. Caplan Professor of
Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania -For decades before the
appearance of the 'new atheists'; Paul Kurtz has been making the
case for an enlightened secular humanism--rooted in reason and
compassion, imbued with moral values, and opposed to superstition,
ignorance, and dogma. These essays showcase Kurtz's humanity,
wisdom, and decency, and have much to offer to any thinking
person.- --Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor of Psychology,
Harvard University, and author of The Stuff of Thought
"Multisecularism is a collection of essays by philosopher Paul
Kurtz (1925), mainly editorials from Free Inquiry and Skeptical
Inquiry from 2000-2008, plus some essays that have been published
in other journals or books. In this book these editorials and
essays form a coherent humanist philosophy. . . . Kurtz has coined
many new terms in his long career, 'multisecularism' is the latest.
He also issued humanist manifestos, all of which have been endorsed
by a long series of prominent scientists, philosophers, and
writers. In these Manifestos he sets the agenda for what humanism
is and how it relates to current world affairs." --Floris van den
Berg, theradicalhumanist.com "In the ongoing battles over the role
of religion in public life, Paul Kurtz remains a sound voice of
reason. Multi-Secularism lays out a clear and engaging vision of a
secular future showing how both capitalism and organized religion
will have to contend with increasing calls to humanize the world of
business and markets and the dogmatic aspects of religion. A book
well worth reading whatever your religious affiliation or
persuasion." --Arthur Caplan, Emmanuel and Robert Hart Director of
the Center for Bioethics and the Sydney D. Caplan Professor of
Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania "For decades before the
appearance of the 'new atheists'; Paul Kurtz has been making the
case for an enlightened secular humanism--rooted in reason and
compassion, imbued with moral values, and opposed to superstition,
ignorance, and dogma. These essays showcase Kurtz's humanity,
wisdom, and decency, and have much to offer to any thinking
person." --Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor of Psychology,
Harvard University, and author of The Stuff of Thought
"Multisecularism is a collection of essays by philosopher Paul
Kurtz (1925), mainly editorials from Free Inquiry and Skeptical
Inquiry from 2000-2008, plus some essays that have been published
in other journals or books. In this book these editorials and
essays form a coherent humanist philosophy. . . . Kurtz has coined
many new terms in his long career, 'multisecularism' is the latest.
He also issued humanist manifestos, all of which have been endorsed
by a long series of prominent scientists, philosophers, and
writers. In these Manifestos he sets the agenda for what humanism
is and how it relates to current world affairs." --Floris van den
Berg, theradicalhumanist.com "In the ongoing battles over the role
of religion in public life, Paul Kurtz remains a sound voice of
reason. Multi-Secularism lays out a clear and engaging vision of a
secular future showing how both capitalism and organized religion
will have to contend with increasing calls to humanize the world of
business and markets and the dogmatic aspects of religion. A book
well worth reading whatever your religious affiliation or
persuasion." --Arthur Caplan, Emmanuel and Robert Hart Director of
the Center for Bioethics and the Sydney D. Caplan Professor of
Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania "For decades before the
appearance of the 'new atheists'; Paul Kurtz has been making the
case for an enlightened secular humanism--rooted in reason and
compassion, imbued with moral values, and opposed to superstition,
ignorance, and dogma. These essays showcase Kurtz's humanity,
wisdom, and decency, and have much to offer to any thinking
person." --Steven Pinker, Harvard College Professor of Psychology,
Harvard University, and author of The Stuff of Thought
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