新人文主義宣言

Manifesto for A New Humanism

在過去三個世紀中，西方世界一直受到進步主義思想的驅動，這一理念最初由歐洲啟蒙運動時期的哲學家提出，認為人類的前途在於主宰其他萬物。這一理念促進科技的發展，改善了數百萬人的生活品質；然而，這些發展也帶來了日益嚴重的社會不公和環境退化等代價。如今，這些問題對人類社會的永續發展構成挑戰，促使當代批判以人類為中心及人類具有特殊命運的觀點，進而呼籲採取「後人文主義」的視角。然而，後人文主義往往忽視了人類對周遭生命應負的道德責任，並使人類在地球的未來繁榮中逐漸被邊緣化。本文主張，為了回應當代挑戰，我們應提出「新人文主義」的理念。人類因擁有獨特的語言能力，而承擔了其他生物無法承擔的責任。如果我們將大自然視為具備孕育新生命的力量，那麼生命延續的責任是否完全落於大自然之上？若如此，新人文主義對人類命運的探討又有何立足之地？此外，雖然許多評論家認為人類將被數位科技主導，但新人文主義恰恰相反，它提出的是一個後數位化的人類未來。這種未來並非依賴無盡的科技創新，而是尋求舊有模式的復興，結合永續理念，重新承諾對生命更新的重視與責任。

For the past three centuries, the western world has been driven by a doctrine of progress, first articulated by philosophers of the European Enlightenment, according to which the destiny of humanity is to exercise dominion over the rest of creation. This doctrine has underwritten developments in science and technology which have improved the lives of millions. They have nevertheless come at the cost of mounting social injustice and environmental degradation. Today, these costs are no longer sustainable. Contemporary critics reject the belief in exceptional human destiny, calling instead for an alternative, post-humanist settlement that would nevertheless deprive humans of responsibility for the life around them, and leave coming human generations with no role to play in future planetary flourishing. This essay argues instead for a new humanism, premised on the claim that thanks to the gift of language, humans do indeed carry a burden of care not shared by other creatures. If nature is understood as a power to give birth to new life, then this is the burden of nurture, of creating the conditions for new-borne life to flourish. What, then, can new humanism say of the lives of generations to come? Many contemporary commentators envision a posthuman future ruled by digital technology. But new humanism, to the contrary, proposes a human future that is post-digital. This future lies not in incessant innovation but in the rejuvenation of old ways. Aligned to a doctrine of sustainability rather than progress, its commitment is to the renewal of life.