Humanly possible : seven hundred years of humanist freethinking, enquiry, and hope

**THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER \*\*\***AS READ ON RADIO 4**\*\*\* The bestselling, prizewinning author of __How to Live__ and __At the Existentialist Café__ explores 700 years of writers, thinkers, scientists and artists, all trying to understand what it means to be truly human.** 'I can't imagine a better history' **PHILIP PULLMAN \*** 'Fascinating, moving, funny' **OLIVER BURKEMAN** If you are reading this, it's likely you already have some affinity with humanism, even if you don't think of yourself in those terms. You may be drawn to literature and the humanities. You may prefer to base your moral choices on fellow-feeling and responsibility to others rather than on religious commandments. Or you may simply believe that individual lives are more important than grand political visions or dogmas. If any of these apply, you are part of a long tradition of humanist thought, and you share that tradition with many extraordinary individuals through... THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *** AS READ ON RADIO 4 *** The bestselling, prizewinning author of How to Live and At the Existentialist Café explores 700 years of writers, thinkers, scientists and artists, all trying to understand what it means to be truly human. 'I can't imagine a better history' PHILIP PULLMAN * 'Fascinating, moving, funny' OLIVER BURKEMAN If you are reading this, it's likely you already have some affinity with humanism, even if you don't think of yourself in those terms. You may be drawn to literature and the humanities. You may prefer to base your moral choices on fellow-feeling and responsibility to others rather than on religious commandments. Or you may simply believe that individual lives are more important than grand political visions or dogmas. If any of these apply, you are part of a long tradition of humanist thought, and you share that tradition with many extraordinary individuals through history who have put rational enquiry, cultural richness, freedom of thought and a sense of hope at the heart of their lives. Humanly Possible introduces us to some of these people, as it asks what humanism is and why it has flourished for so long, despite opposition from fanatics, mystics and tyrants. It is a book brimming with ideas, personalities and experiments in living - from Erasmus to Esperanto, from anatomists to agnostics, from Christine de Pizan to Bertrand Russell to Zora Neale Hurston. It joyfully celebrates open-mindedness, optimism, freedom and the power of the here and now - humanist values which have helped steer us through dark times in the past, and which are just as urgently needed in our world today. PRAISE FOR SARAH BAKEWELL'S BOOKS ' Quirky, funny, clear and passionate . . . Few writers are as good as Bakewell at explaining complicated ideas' Mail on Sunday 'A wonderfully readable combination of biography, philosophy, history, cultural analysis and personal reflection' Independent ' Splendidly conceived and exquisitely written' Sunday Times 'A rare achievement ' Evening Standard Humanism is an expansive tradition of thought that places shared humanity, cultural vibrancy, and moral responsibility at the center of our lives. The humanistic worldview--as clear-eyed and enlightening as it is kaleidoscopic and richly ambiguous--has inspired people for centuries to make their choices by principles of freethinking, intellectual inquiry, fellow feeling, and optimism. In this sweeping new history, Sarah Bakewell, herself a lifelong humanist, illuminates the very personal, individual, and, well, human matter of humanism andtakes readers on a grand intellectual adventure. Voyaging from the literary enthusiasts of the fourteenth century to the secular campaigners of our own time, from Erasmus to Esperanto, from anatomists to agnostics, from Christine de Pizan to Bertrand Russell, and from Voltaire to Zora Neale Hurston, Bakewell brings together extraordinary humanists across history. She explores their immense variety: some sought to promote scientific and rationalist ideas, others put more emphasis on moral living, and still others were concerned with the cultural and literary studies known as "the humanities." Humanly Possible asks not only what brings all these aspects of humanism together but why it has such enduring power, despite opposition from fanatics, mystics, and tyrants. A singular examination of this vital tradition as well as a dazzling contribution to its literature, this is an intoxicating, joyful celebration of the human spirit from one of our most beloved writers. And at a moment when we are all too conscious of the world's divisions, Humanly Possible--brimming with ideas, experiments in living, and respect for the deepest ethical values--serves as a recentering, a call to care for one another, and a reminder that we are all, together, only human The Bestselling, Prizewinning Author Of How To Live And At The Existentialist Café Explores 700 Years Of Writers, Thinkers, Scientists And Artists, All Trying To Understand What It Means To Be Truly Human. If You Are Reading This, It's Likely You Already Have Some Affinity With Humanism, Even If You Don't Think Of Yourself In Those Terms. You May Be Drawn To Literature And The Humanities. You May Prefer To Base Your Moral Choices On Fellow-feeling And Responsibility To Others Rather Than On Religious Commandments. Or You May Simply Believe That Individual Lives Are More Important Than Grand Political Visions Or Dogmas. If Any Of These Apply, You Are Part Of A Long Tradition Of Humanist Thought, And You Share That Tradition With Many Extraordinary Individuals Through History Who Have Put Rational Enquiry, Cultural Richness, Freedom Of Thought And A Sense Of Hope At The Heart Of Their Lives. Humanly Possible Introduces Us To Some Of These People, As It Asks What Humanism Is And Why It Has Flourished For So Long, Despite Opposition From Fanatics, Mystics And Tyrants. It Is A Book Brimming With Ideas, Personalities And Experiments In Living - From The Literary Enthusiasts Of The Fourteenth Century To The Secular Campaigners Of Our Own Time, From Erasmus To Esperanto, From Anatomists To Agnostics, From Christine De Pizan To Bertrand Russell, And From Voltaire To Zora Neale Hurston. It Takes Us On An Irresistible Journey, And Joyfully Celebrates Open-mindedness, Optimism, Freedom And The Power Of The Here And Now ? Humanist Values Which Have Helped Steer Us Through Dark Times In The Past, And Which Are Just As Urgently Needed In Our World Today.