Radical Humanism

Radical Humanism is a philosophy of liberation that insists on the complete emancipation of the human mind and society from superstition, authority, and exploitation — whether religious, political, or economic.

Radical Humanism emphasizes:

  • Reason over faith

  • Ethics without God

  • Individual freedom combined with social responsibility

  • Democratic control over political and economic power

  • A global outlook rather than national or sectarian loyalties

Core Principles

  1. Human autonomy – Humans create meaning and values through reason and compassion, not divine command.

  2. Democratic socialism – Economic justice and equality are necessary for genuine freedom.

  3. Secular ethics – Morality arises from empathy and human welfare, not scripture.

  4. Global solidarity – The human species must transcend nationalism and caste.

  5. Rational critique – All ideologies (including Marxism, capitalism, and religion) must be open to critical examination.

Thinkers Considered Radical Humanists

  • Bertrand Russell – Rationalist philosopher and anti-imperialist advocating humanist ethics and peace.

  • Albert Camus – His existential humanism rejected both religious and totalitarian authority.

  • Jean-Paul Sartre – Saw existential freedom as the foundation of moral responsibility.

  • Paulo Freire – His Pedagogy of the Oppressed advanced human liberation through education.

  • W.E.B. Du Bois – Critiqued racial capitalism; like Ambedkar, sought global justice.

  • Emma Goldman – Anarchist feminist and advocate of freedom as a moral principle.

  • M. N. Roy – Founder of Radical Humanism; former communist turned rationalist humanist.

  • B. R. Ambedkar – Advocated rationalism, social equality, and Buddhism as a human-centered ethical system; rejected theism and capitalism alike.

  • Jawaharlal Nehru – His “scientific temper” and secular ethics align partially with Radical Humanism.

  • E.V. Ramasamy Periyar – Fierce critic of religion, caste, and patriarchy; promoted rationalism and social equality.

  • Goparaju “Gora” Ramachandra Rao – Atheist and social reformer who founded the Atheist Centre.

  • Kanshi Ram – Later Ambedkarite leader continuing the rational egalitarian struggle.

Radical Humanism is the moral and political philosophy that unites reason, freedom, and equality — the conviction that human beings can and must create a just world without gods or masters.