Сохранить человеческое: идеал гуманизма и реальность человека

Философские науки. 2025. Т. 68. № 1. С. 79–91.

Leontiev D.

The paper examines the issue of the humane in the human being in the context of the dialectic between ideals and reality. Reflecting on discussions about human essence leads to the conclusion of its inherent indeterminacy and the multiplicity of potential capabilities within each individual, which develop throughout life. The distinction between ideal and reality in the study of human nature necessitates a differentiation between the ideal human being and the empirical human being. This divergence raises the question of striving towards a humanist ideal, cultivating the humanness within each individual. The issue of moving towards a humanist ideal along two trajectories—through creating general conditions for the development of humanness within individuals and through personal efforts—leads to understanding human nature not only as a potentiality, but also as a challenge and as a responsibility. History has demonstrated the inadequacy of both purely optimistic and pessimistic views of human being; therefore, W.James’ concept of meliorism—the belief in the possibility of improving the world through active efforts—is essential. Two aspects of humanist values ​​should be distinguished: on the one hand, the universal value of humanness as such, equally inherent in every human being by virtue of belonging to the human species; and on the other, the value of humanness cultivated within the empirical individual, the degree of which exhibits significant individual differences and serves as a prerequisite for an individual's full exercise of rights and responsibilities. This duality necessitates a binary, or stereoscopic, ethics, which must consider and foster both aspects of humanness: universal, unconditional humanness "by birthright" and cultivated humanness, possessing an individual measure.

Keywords: антропология, values, ценности, эволюция, ответственность, responsibility, evolution, вызов, сущность человека, возможность, human nature, potentiality, Challenge, humanness, ideal and reality, meliorism, binary ethics, идеал и реальность, мелиоризм, бинарная этика

Publication based on the results of: Psychological health: prerequisites, manifestations, prevention (2025)