ABOUT THE PRIMACY OF PRACTICE
ABOUT THE PRIMACY OF PRACTICE

Summary/Abstract: Different conflicting worldviews (primarily cosmocentrism, geocentrism, theocentrism, biocentrism and anthropocentrism) clash if they insist on a rigid, dogmatic claim to absolute truth. By insisting on the theoretical truth of a particular worldview (and that means on tenets/orthodoxy / one’s position), even the very possibility of dialogue is ruled out. The antitheses between cosmocentric, theocentric, geocentric, biocentric and anthropocentric views of the world are eliminated by establishing the primacy of the practical as opposed to the theoretical-dogmatic persistence of a certain science. Humanism understood as anthropocentrism free from the temptation of its absolutization in this way can refer to Kant’s categorical imperative (which has its deep roots in the religious and philosophical tradition, as we find in, among others, Confucius, Buddha, Thales, the Pythagorean school, the Gospel and the Proverbs of the Prophet Muhammad). Humanism may in particular refer to Kant’s formulation of the categorical imperative that humanity in one’s own person and in the person of another must always be used as a purpose, and in no way as a means: humanity is an end in itself and not a means to achieve some other goals. This meaningful core of humanism can also be found in the demands for peaceful, tolerant and civilized behavior among people, demands set by Herder, among others, convinced of the need for constant development of humanity, without which we are in danger of re-entering brutality. Our times, marked by the growth of verbal (and, unfortunately, not only verbal) brutality, the relativization of truth and lies, good and evil, the meaning of nonsense, the mind of madness, also marked by growing egocentrism and ethnocentrism, as well as a disquieting rise in divisions - point to the necessity of reaffirming the values of humanism conceived in the above way. Religions that adopt humanistic ethics serve and will serve to unite and connect, while those religions that insist on dogmatic differences and monopolize the right to truth will produce divisions, disputes, and ultimately violence and evil. The contradictions between the representatives of different theocentric worldviews, i.e., different religions and denominations, could be overcome through the common heritage of almost all religions and philosophical teachings. It is a golden rule that in one possible formulation reads: Treat others as you would like to be treated.

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