Many of the basic questions in metaphysics are centered around the reality we exist in — or, more specifically, the universe we exist in. What is it, why does it exist, and what fundamental nature does it have? The humanistic view of the universe is fundamentally naturalistic.
For humanists, the universe exists naturally and for itself rather than as an extension of any supernatural beings like gods, and it does not require the existence of beings like gods to explain its existence. Even religious humanists typically describe the universe as "self-existing and not created."
In addition, this understanding of the universe does not require us to seek supernatural aid — the naturalistic sciences, relying upon rational processes, provide us with what we need to know. As the Humanist Manifesto 2000 states:
- "Scientific research has expanded our knowledge of the universe and the place of the human species within it. Human inquiry is now able to advance and to have its findings confirmed by science and reason, while the metaphysical and theological speculations of the past have made little or no progress. The discoveries of astronomy, physics, relativity theory, and quantum mechanics have increased our understanding of the universe — from the scale of micro-particles to that of galaxies."
We are, of course, a part of the universe, but humanists don't treat humans as being a more "special" part of the universe than anything else — something which distinguishes humanist philosophy from many religious theologies which have existed in human history. We are a part of the universe attempting to understand the universe, but anything "special" about us lies in our minds alone.
Nevertheless, it is also in our minds where we will find the ability to achieve the understanding we seek. That understanding is crucial because it is what helps us to live and to thrive despite the problems we encounter. This is ultimately an optimistic stance to take because we are confident in our ability to continually learn and grow:
- "We are citizens of the universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the cosmos."
Despite such optimism, however, humanists must acknowledged that nature and the universe are indifferent to humanity and human destiny. Because we are not special, there is no "effort" by the universe to seek us out either to help us or to harm us. This may not seem initially to be an especially important principle to adopt, but it does entail significant consequences for what we believe.
If the universe is indifferent to us, it make no sense to rail against nature when terrible things happen to us (disease, disaster), nor does it make any sense for us to praise nature when good things happen. By developing a naturalistic understanding of how nature operates and why the universe is the way it is, we can do a better job at avoiding or mitigating the effects of the bad things while encouraging or enhancing the good things — but all of that is due to our own efforts, not a consequence of cosmic karma, divine providence, or anything else of the sort.
