Ethical Diversity Within Humanistic Judaism Humanistic Jews embrace a wide range of ethical perspectives and moral philosophies: from libertarian to utilitarian, from individualist to communitarian. What unites all humanistic ethical viewpoints is a reliance upon reason rather than faith or intuition in arriving at standards to guide human behavior. Humanists agree that human experience and human needs, rather than divine authority, are the source of ethical wisdom. The conclusions reached by one Humanistic Jew may differ from those reached by others, but all are committed to rational, free inquiry as the most effective and appropriate means for the discovery of ethical truth. Libertarian or individualistic humanists take as their point of departure the fundamental principle of self-ownership. Lacking evidence of a supernatural power who created human beings and who, therefore, has authority over them, Humanistic Jews accept no power of any kind which, by definition, owns human beings. This principle of self-ownership stands in sharp contrast to the central theistic belief that people are the property of a Creator- God or of his appointed agents on earth, and, as such, owe him obedience and are responsible to him for their actions. In the absence of an authority that can legitimately assert a claim to power over others, it follows that no human being is the property of another. All persons are the sovereign owners of themselves and have the right to live and to use their bodies without interference, however they wish - so long as they acknowledge the equivalent self-ownership of everyone else. This latter proviso is the essence of social responsibility. Therefore, enslavement of any kind is immoral. So is coercion, the initiation of force or fraud against another person. Self- ownership and such attendant principles as autonomy, independence, and the freedom to live according to one's own values should be protected and encouraged. Derivative values include respect for other persons and their property; compassion for those whose autonomy is threatened by circumstances beyond their control; benevolence toward human beings out of regard for their inherent dignity and value as self-owned beings; generosity, sincerity, and honesty - all of which flow from the primary humanistic affirmation of self-ownership. The central ethical message of libertarian humanism, then, is: You own yourself. You decide and control your actions. You are responsible for yourself, including the immediate and long-range consequences of your freely chosen behavior upon yourself and others. Utilitarian or communitarian humanists agree with libertarian humanists that personal autonomy is important. But they do not regard it as supremely important. They regard other values as being of equal or greater importance. Of equal importance is the development and use of one's talents for the benefit of oneself and others. Of greater importance is the survival of the human community to which all individuals belong. What unites all three values - autonomy, talent contribution, and human survival - is the principle that the rightness of every action is determined by its ability to promote the greatest well-being and the greatest dignity of the greatest number. From this governing principle flow the values of personal freedom, personal happiness, and respect for private property. Also from this governing principle flow the values of compassion, generosity, and fairness. While all of these derivative values are important, they are not absolute. In the end, the welfare of the individual is subordinate to the long-run welfare of humanity. The philosophical positions of libertarian and communitarian ethics coexist within the framework of Humanistic Judaism. From Guide to Humanistic Judaism in the Summer/Autumn 1993 issue of Humanistic Judaism, Vol. 21, No. 3-4. Written by an editorial board of the Society for Humanistic Judaism. Table of Contents | 1994 Issues | Subscribe Truth Seeker | Feedback | Freethought.com Webmaster Credit card Orders call: 800-321-9054 or fax: (619)676-0433 Or send check or money order to: Truth Seeker / 16935 W. Bernardo Drive, Suite 103 / San Diego, CA 92127 $20.00 annual U.S. subscription ($35.00 international). Individual issues—$10.00 + $2.50 postage and handling Or be a committed freethinker and send $35.00 for a two year subscription. Truth Seeker is published by Truth Seeker Co., Inc. (ISSN 0041-3712) © 1996