‘This book is an extraordinarily brave and enormously comprehensive attempt to re-energize an interest in the battered concept of humanism. Ken Plummer’s agenda for a new politics of humanity explicitly recognizes the manner in which past “humanisms” have been undermined by ethnocentrism and cultural insensitivity. These, and other impediments to a “critical humanism”, are courageously confronted in a volume that fully realizes its author’s intention to provide “a vision of something better”.’
Laurie Taylor, Emeritus Professor, University of York, and presenter of Thinking Allowed, BBC Radio Four
‘In Critical Humanism, Ken Plummer engages with an extraordinary range of different literatures and a lifetime of reflection to consider what it will take to be truly human in the twenty-first century. We should grapple seriously with his impassioned and challenging arguments.’
Rob Stones, Professor of Sociology, Western Sydney University
‘Ken Plummer’s mission has been to expand the range and depth of decencies; here he seeks larger principles on which to ground mutual regard. This is a fundamental study – rooted in conscience, sociological learning and intimate generosity. Critical Humanism stirs the mind.’
Harvey Molotch, Professor Emeritus, New York University, and University of California, Santa Barbara
Dedication
In loving memory of my dear brother,
Geoff Plummer (1942–2020)
Critical Humanism
A Manifesto for the Twenty-First Century
Ken Plummer
polity
Copyright page
Copyright © Ken Plummer 2021
The right of Ken Plummer to be identified as Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
First published in 2021 by Polity Press
Polity Press
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Cambridge CB2 1UR, UK
Polity Press
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Medford, MA 02155, USA
All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purpose of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
ISBN-13: 978-1-5095-2794-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-5095-2795-3(pb)
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Plummer, Kenneth, author.
Title: Critical humanism : a manifesto for the 21st century / Ken Plummer.
Description: Cambridge, UK ; Medford, MA : Polity Press, 2021. | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: “A passionate defence of human value and human potential”-- Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021006115 (print) | LCCN 2021006116 (ebook) | ISBN 9781509527946 (hardback) | ISBN 9781509527953 (paperback) | ISBN 9781509527960 (pdf) | ISBN 9781509527984 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Humanity. | Humanism--Social aspects. | Human beings.
Classification: LCC BJ1533.H9 P58 2021 (print) | LCC BJ1533.H9 (ebook) | DDC 179.7--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021006115
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021006116
Typeset in 10.5 on 12 pt Sabon
by Fakenham Prepress Solutions, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 8NL
Printed and bound in Great Britain by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon
The publisher has used its best endeavours to ensure that the URLs for external websites referred to in this book are correct and active at the time of going to press. However, the publisher has no responsibility for the websites and can make no guarantee that a site will remain live or that the content is or will remain appropriate.
Every effort has been made to trace all copyright holders, but if any have been overlooked the publisher will be pleased to include any necessary credits in any subsequent reprint or edition.
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Boxes, Tables and Figures
Boxes
0.1 Defining humanity
1.1 Connecting humanity: the critical humanist project
1.2 An expanding concern over human rights
2.1 Eight ways to destroy the planet over a few hundred years
5.1 Stories of an emergent human species: critical moments
5.2 Meta-narratives of worldly care: a few symbolic moments
7.1 A cascade of effervescent politics of humanity
7.2 Thinking beyond the West: an emerging consciousness
Tables
2.1 Monitoring the mutilated world
3.1 Hierarchies of humanity: the dehumanization of others
4.1 Making sense of atrocity and anti-humanity
5.1 Media landmarks of narrative humanity
7.1 The Sustainable Development Goals for a world in 2030
8.1 Social imaginaries for a post Covid-19 world: from damaged humanity to a humanized world
8.2