Progressive Secular Society: And Other Essays Relevant to Secularism

by Tom Rubens

Overview

A progressive secular society is one committed to the widening of scientific knowledge and humane feeling. It regards humanity as part of physical nature and opposes any appeal to supernatural agencies or explanations. In particular, human moral perspectives are human creations and the only basis for ethics. Secular values need re-affirming in the face of the resurgence of aggressive supernatural religious doctrines and practices. This book gives a set of ‘secular thoughts for the day’ – many only a page or two long – on topics as varied as Shakespeare and Comte, economics, science and social action.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781845404970
Publisher:	Andrews UK
Publication date:	09/14/2016
Series:	Societas , #37
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	864 KB

About the Author

Tom Rubens holds BA and MA degrees in English, and has taught this subject in further and higher education for most of his working life. In addition to six already published books in philosophy, he has also published a selection of poetry. As well as teaching and writing, he is active in community and political affairs.

Editorial Reviews

"The title of this collection of essays - Progressive Secular Society - could be the name of an organisation in a David Lodge novel: an amalgam of all the groups which constitute the culture of British humanism. This is entirely appropriate, as the text presents itself as, and is, the expression of the sensibility of modern secularism. As such it is remarkable for the way in which it displays the strengths and the evasions of this position,"

Ethical Record December 2008 - David Murray

"An interesting prospect for contemplating secularism across insights drawn from the social and natural sciences."

Political Studies Review - Magdalena Zolkos

"I recommend this book - there is much for thoughtful readers to consider."

Sofia, March 2009 - Jennifer Jeynes

"[The author] sets out the assumptions of secularism, and navigates skilfully within these, covering a wide range of issues... [I]t is refreshing to find someone writing so broadly and referring to Camus, Sartre, Schopenhauer, Weber and Montesquieu."

Winter 2008 The Scientific and Medical Network

"The title of this collection of essays - Progressive Secular Society - could be the name of an organisation in a David Lodge novel: an amalgam of all the groups which constitute the culture of British humanism. This is entirely appropriate, as the text presents itself as, and is, the expression of the sensibility of modern secularism. As such it is remarkable for the way in which it displays the strengths and the evasions of this position". David Murray, Ethical Record, December 2008."I recommend this book - there is much for thoughtful readers to consider". Jennifer Jeynes, Sofia (March 2009)"An interesting prospect for contemplating secularism across insights drawn from the social and natural sciences." Magdalena Zolkos, Political Studies Review."[The author] sets out the assumptions of secularism, and navigates skilfully within these, covering a wide range of issues. ... [I]t is refreshing to find someone writing so broadly and referring to Camus, Sartre, Schopenhauer, Weber and Montesquieu. The Scientific and Medical Network (Winter, 2008)

From the Publisher