Principles
Amsterdam Declaration 2022
Four official principles presenting humanism as ethical, rational, fulfilment-oriented and a non-dogmatic source of meaning and purpose.
- Tradition or school
- Secular Humanism
- Framework type
- Principles
- Authority classification
- Philosophical
- Observance
- Aspirational
- Research status
- Published and reviewed
- Origin period
- Adopted in 2022
- Origin region
- International humanist movement; adopted in Glasgow
- Attributed origin
- Members and associates of Humanists International
- Intended audience
- Humanists and those studying modern humanism
- Published constituent items
- 4
- Last reviewed
- 28 June 2026
Names and terminology
Alternative names: Declaration of Modern Humanism 2022
Primary texts and authority
The Amsterdam Declaration 2022 was democratically adopted by Humanists International as its current defining statement.
Rules, principles or steps
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Humanists Strive to Be Ethical
Ground morality in the capacities of living beings to suffer and flourish, using reason and compassion.
-
Humanists Strive to Be Rational
Use reason, science and free inquiry while allowing ethical values to determine ends.
-
Humanists Strive for Fulfilment
Pursue creative, knowledgeable and fulfilling lives without harming others.
-
Humanism Offers a Non-Dogmatic Source of Meaning
Develop meaning through inquiry, cooperation and revisable human understanding rather than fixed revelation or authoritarian ideology.
Historical development
The original declaration was adopted in 1952, revised in 2002 and replaced by the current 2022 version.
Variations
Humanists and humanist organisations remain diverse; the declaration is an international movement statement, not a creed binding every non-religious person.
Traditional interpretation
The declaration grounds ethics in suffering, flourishing, reason and compassion rather than supernatural authority.
Controversies and disputes
Questions include whether humanism overstates confidence in reason, how human values are justified, and whether its account adequately addresses non-human life.
Truth By Reason analysis
The statement is unusually open to correction and explicitly links freedom with responsibility. Its principles still require practical methods for resolving conflicts between rights, welfare and environmental limits.
Ethical themes
Explanations, comparisons and discussions
Ethical analysis
Can Humanism Function as an Ethical Framework?
How the Amsterdam Declaration grounds ethical responsibility without divine command or fixed revelation.
Comparison
Religious Duties, Virtues and Universal Ethics
Which parts of religious and philosophical codes may support universal ethics, and which depend on specific belief.
Sources
- The Amsterdam Declaration 2022 Primary source