Humanism is an ethical philosophy that both based upon participatory democracy and social responsibility. This is manifest both individually and collectively. Leading to  ethical lives of personal fulfillment with a vision of moral socially dedicated to the greater good. It is a democratic and ethical life stance which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethics based on human and other natural values in a spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities.  These  ethical principles play a central role in human relationships.  Empathy, compassion, liberty, solidarity, and respect  must be defined as guidepost for actions with clear understanding of “Other” for real democracy to work.

 

Marxist humanism is a way of life and philosophy of seeing the world and political action rooted in historical materialism with an interpretation of the ethical concerns found in the works of Karl Marx. It is an empathetic investigation into what is human nature  and that is molded by the society we are born into, the possible options we can choose objectively What we can do to work towards a society which would be most encouraging to humans, individually and collectively  thriving from a critical, scientific and compassionate worldview grounded in Marxist philosophy.

 

Standing between Marx, Bakunin, and Camus

Existential angst is a feeling of dread or anxiety related to the belief that life has no meaning other than what people choose. The anxiety develops the instant that an individual questions if their life has significance, principles, or value.

But the meaning of life is in living life in spite of the consequences.

 

Class society is founded on parasites that run everything. The rest of us come to terms with that. Many grovel for crumbs by selling out their communities. The fearful will protect their children by closing their eyes to the horrors of exploitation and oppression. The principled army of opposition chips away at the walls of this prison and then fights a pitched battle to save our meager gains. The isolated rebel makes signs out of cardboard and stands alongside the freeway entrance receiving friendly nods, but not much else.

Resistance is an art form and a lifestyle. Each day of rebellion keeps the dream of liberation alive. Compassion, sociological imagination, historical inspiration, cross-cultural creativeness and a commitment to humanity and the planet becomes our genre. It is still not too late. As our numbers increase the future can be rewritten.

 

From Marx we derive a method of understanding through empirical and careful study of the world we are born into, from Bakunin we learn never surrender to an authority divine or temporal, but to embrace our humanity in the community of humans. Camus considers the leap of faith as "philosophical suicide," rejecting both this and physical suicide. All three embrace the world in resistance to anything that diminishes our full humanity and celebration of life. Nihilism is only a transition to the life of a rebel; life is a celebration to be indulged in not a burden to be endured. To choose not to kill oneself is to accept life.

 

Marx, Bakunin, and Camus would be my Trinity, but if I move beyond that and embrace the four directions, I will add Epicurus with the celebration of life with the pursuit of happiness in the company of family and friends.