For a new humanism

Abstract

This guest editorial proposes a ‘new humanism’ in response to the challenges facing traditional humanist thought. Although humanism has been criticized by both left-wing postcolonial and right-wing populist viewpoints, it is argued that completely renunciating humanist ideas could have harmful effects. Instead, it proposes a revitalized humanism that disregards the previous humanism's emphasis on novelty and advancement at the price of custom and continuity. This new approach emphasizes rejuvenation rather than repudiation of the past and seeks to relearn coexistence with all planetary beings. It challenges accusations of anthropocentrism and Eurocentrism, proposing a ‘multiversal’ conversation that acknowledges human exceptionalism in speech while respecting diverse voices and regional attachments. The guest editorial concludes by calling for a praxis of study, potentially anthropology, that prioritizes the reproduction of human life and its kinship with other beings over technological advancement.