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Particular-Alfalfa-1 t1_iqxh10i wrote

Reply to comment by soynadie-66 in /r/philosophy Open Discussion Thread | October 03, 2022 by BernardJOrtcutt

Evolution makes no claim about human worth either way. It's the scientific theory that explains the origins of humans, and human morality. Humanism is not a scientific theory, it's an assertion that humans have worth. We assert it because we're humans.

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soynadie-66 t1_iqxjhee wrote

In this case humanism is the equivalent of racism, just on the level of species. We ascribe to ourselves a special human dignity just as white racists ascribe a special value to themselves. There is no justification behind this assertion, just pride (be it as a race or a species)

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regberdog t1_ir0a5xy wrote

this is so bad man holy crap. please read some philosophy, please.

Racism is not the statement that "we are deserving of valued" it's the statement that "they are not deserving of being valued".

It's the opposite thing, and it's incoherent. Where as the humanist says human life is valuable, the racist says that human life is and is not valuable.

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Particular-Alfalfa-1 t1_ir29g45 wrote

Humanism doesn't assert that animals don't have value, but simply that humans have value. More importantly it claims that humans must be the solution to human problems, as opposed to deities. Considering value in this definition is a broad and subjective philosophical word, it can certainly be compatible with an scientific understanding. Also it's not really pride, although pride in moderation is a good thing. We should be proud of ourselves and of humanity for many things, and disappointed for other things. The fact that we evolved doesn't mean we shouldn't value human life.

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regberdog t1_ir0a7v1 wrote

holy crap that reply you got is messed up, and it's upvoted. is this sub always so bad?

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