Looking back on my life at the age of 84, I have mixed feelings. I have
already published an autobiography, Yes to Life ( 1981), and I could write
another entire book frankly giving an account of the serious mistakes I
have made. In spite of that, I believe that on the whole my life has been
worth-while, both because of my contributions to the public welfare and
because I have enjoyed what I was doing, especially the battles in which
I have been involved and frequently won. I have stood firm for my dissident
views and have consistently sustained about twelve main activities. As a
vigorous octogenarian I continue to work hard—writing, speaking and
combatting most of the policies of the Reagan Administration.

My foremost concentration has been in philosophy, especially the
philosophy of Naturalistic Humanism (sometimes called a religion). This
way of life, relying primarily on the methods of reason, science and democra-
cy, rejects belief in all forms of the supernatural; and considers our supreme
commitment as the welfare, progress and happiness of all humanity in this
one and only existence. The Humanist watchword is compassionate concern
towards our fellow human beings. This philosophy asserts that there is
no Divine Providence or God guiding and helping mankind, but that men
and women, possessing true freedom of choice, bear the full responsibility
for solving their problems, whether personal or social. My book, The
Philosophy of Humanism, is the acknowledged reference work in America
for the Humanist viewpoint.

I first became interested in Humanism when, working for a Ph.D.
in philosophy at Columbia University, I chose the question of personal

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