Universalist Humanism

Also called New Humanism. Characterized by an emphasis on the humanist attitude. The humanist attitude is not a philosophy but a point of view, a sensibility and a way of living in relationship with other human beings. U.H. maintains that in all cultures, in their most creative moment, the humanist attitude pervades the social environment. In such periods, discrimination, wars and violence in general are repudiated. Freedom of ideas and beliefs is fomented, which in turn provides incentive for research and creativity in science, art and other social expressions. U.H. proposes a dialogue between cultures that is neither abstract nor institutional, but rather an agreement on fundamental points and a mutual and concrete collaboration between representatives of different cultures based on their respective and symmetrical humanist “moments” or eras (see Humanist moment). The general ideas of u.h. are formulated in the “Statement of the Humanist Movement” (*Humanist Statement).