Ethics, religion, and scientific humanism

pp. 408-421

in: Herbert Feigl, Inquiries and provocations, Berlin, Springer, 1981

Abstract

The kind of world we are facing nowadays is one of deep concern. There are so many horrible things going on that it is psychologically understandable that a kind of moral disillusionment has set in, particularly among the younger generation. In my own feeble way I hope to retain some moral backbone in spite of all the developments that might make one skeptical, if not completely disheartened. The ethical outlook that I represent is, if you want a label for it, scientific humanism. What I wish to present is more along the lines of a sober philosophical analysis rather than mere preachment. The present generation doesn't like to be preached at any more than I do. I think that there is a fundamental difference between the analytic clarification of ideas and the communication of scientific knowledge claims on the one hand, and the edification, exhortation, and consolation that belongs to religious language on the other.