Paul Kurtz

Paul Kurtz
Name	Paul Kurtz
Caption	Paul Kurtz in 2008
Birth date	21 December 1925
Birth place	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Death date	20 October 2012
Death place	Amherst, New York, U.S.
Education	New York University (BA, MA), Columbia University (PhD)
Notable works	The Transcendental Temptation, Forbidden Fruit, The Courage to Become
Organizations	Council for Secular Humanism, Center for Inquiry, Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
Field	Philosophy, secular humanism, skepticism

Paul Kurtz was a prominent American philosopher, professor, and secular activist who became a leading figure in the development of contemporary secular humanism and the skeptical movement. He taught philosophy at the University at Buffalo for over four decades and founded several major organizations dedicated to promoting scientific skepticism and secular values. Often described as the "father of secular humanism," his prolific writing and institution-building efforts left a lasting impact on freethought communities worldwide.

Biography

Born in Newark, New Jersey, he served in the United States Army during World War II. He earned his undergraduate and master's degrees from New York University before completing his doctorate in philosophy at Columbia University under the guidance of philosopher Sidney Hook. In 1965, he joined the philosophy department at the University at Buffalo, part of the State University of New York system, where he remained as a professor until his retirement. His early philosophical work was influenced by pragmatism and naturalism, and he engaged with the ideas of John Dewey and George Santayana.

Philosophical work

His philosophical contributions centered on developing a robust, non-theistic worldview he termed "eupraxsophy," a blend of practical wisdom and ethical living without reliance on supernatural belief. He argued vigorously for scientific naturalism, positing that the scientific method provides the most reliable path to knowledge. Major works like The Transcendental Temptation critically analyzed the psychological and sociological roots of religious belief, while Forbidden Fruit outlined a secular, humanistic approach to ethics. He engaged in debates with theologians and defended the philosophy of humanism against its critics, emphasizing critical thinking and moral autonomy.

Secular humanism and skepticism

He was instrumental in drafting and promulgating key humanist manifestos, including Secular Humanist Declaration and Humanist Manifesto II, which outlined the principles of a modern, non-religious ethical life. He championed the skeptical movement as a necessary corrective to pseudoscience and paranormal claims, advocating for the application of rationalism and evidence-based inquiry to all areas of life. His efforts helped define secular humanism as a positive, life-affirming alternative to religious dogma, focusing on human potential and progressive social values.

Organizations and projects

A prolific institution-builder, he founded the Council for Secular Humanism and its magazine Free Inquiry. He also established the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (originally CSICOP) and its journal Skeptical Inquirer, created to investigate claims of the paranormal. He was the founding chairman of the Center for Inquiry, an umbrella organization promoting science and secular values. Other initiatives included the publishing house Prometheus Books, the Secular Student Alliance, and the International Academy of Humanism, which elected distinguished members like Richard Dawkins and Mario Bunge.

Publications

He authored or edited over fifty books and countless articles. Notable titles include The Courage to Become, Living Without Religion, and The New Skepticism. He served as editor-in-chief for Free Inquiry and was a contributing editor to Skeptical Inquirer. Through Prometheus Books, he published works by a wide range of authors in science, philosophy, and criticism of religion, significantly expanding the available literature for the secular movement.

Legacy and influence

His work profoundly shaped modern organized secularism and skepticism, providing intellectual foundations and practical resources for a global community. The institutions he created continue to be major forces in advocating for science education, church-state separation, and human rights. He received awards from the American Humanist Association and was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. While later disagreements led to his departure from the Center for Inquiry, his foundational role in establishing the contemporary landscape of secular humanist and skeptical activism remains widely acknowledged and influential.

Category:American philosophers Category:Secular humanists Category:Skeptics