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What is to be gained from the Concept of Uncompromising Humanism?

The key findings

The Concept of Uncompromising Humanism derives its findings step by step: starting with the way in which humans observe the world, through elementary particles to state philosophy. In order to manage the vast quantity of facts and conclusions in a reasonable space the Concept is expressed with a high degree of abstraction. Below is an overview of the key findings:

1.The world is knowable—without mystery of any kind. The process of knowing is also knowable (the Concept of Uncompromising Humanism is also a complete theory of knowledge).

2.The quintessential knowledge is this: human drives and intuitions

–are not distinct from the drives and instincts of other higher primates;

–are not, however, sufficient for successful navigation through a world designed by humans.

3.It is only reason that can show the innocent innermost being of a person the way through this world. Reason is at our service. The same reason, in the capacity of an accord between the members of a society, enables a framework to be formed within which all life can be led to fulfilment.

4.The basis for the success of reason is knowledge: of the world, of that which makes us human; for individuals, in particular the knowledge of that which drives and guides them. Knowledge is a hypothesis confirmed by reality; there is no knowledge that has not been provided by reality. The total knowledge of humanity comprises that which has been built up to date; there is no knowledge that is known by no one.

5.Thinking (equivalent to consciousness) is an evolutionary leap forward: what had until that point been mere biological data processing becomes independent, liberates itself from instinctive drive and guidance and builds up its own data basis. This includes a Self that instigates and coordinates thought.

6.Drives and intuitions communicate themselves to thought as feelings. A feeling is the command to solve a problem, to find out what is behind a sensation of unease, to preserve a status or to grasp an opportunity. Feelings have no meaning without thought and vice versa.

7.Free Will is the openness to the resolution of a command—not the freedom to choose the command, or who you are at the moment of choice.

8.Happiness is the reward for life-affirming behaviour—in all time horizons from the slightest activity to the shaping of one’s whole life. The release of hormones stimulates positive moods—with-out influence from the conscious mind

9.Over the full course of a life the Self builds the personality, which can transcend the biological drives and in this sense become “immortal”. Self-determination is an indispensable prerequisite for shaping a life and developing one’s own personality, and thus for happiness.

10.The sole purpose of the state is to ensure the personal freedom that allows the individual to unfold. It takes self-determination through to higher organisational levels; citizens form their state logically for themselves and are involved in it on a subsidiary level through direct democracy.

11.The prerequisite for an enabling state is enabled citizens and vice versa. Enabled means that they understand the problems of society as their own. The coevolution of enabled citizens and enabling state requires centuries. Enlightenment, self-determination and pluralism are its catalysts.

12.Enabling states form a union of states as propounded by Kant. States comprise culturally homogenous territories within which all is regulated by their constitutions. The dealings between states are regulated by treaties and movable structures.

The Concept of Uncompromising Humanism proves Lichtenberg’s assertion that “Essentially … all human beings could achieve fulfilment”. The means to this end is reason, working from reality, understanding every human being as a purpose in himself and contributing to solving problems of society as one’s own.