RETHINKING INTEGRAL HUMANISM IN THE LIGHT OF JACQUES MARITAIN

Abstract

Certain positions have attempted to give unwholesome outlook on humanism. Such views and orientations are represented by secular humanism which operates with ill-oriented ideologies and values that give an unfair image to humanism. Globally, this unfair image to humanism has been characterized mainly; by a hyper-sense of individualism which has gradually become the accepted mode of thought. Man's egoism and selfishness is one that informs the assumption that individual success is more important than the success of the entire community. Hence, with such ideology, human life and existence is under threat, where hawk-class attitude becomes the order of the day, making people exhibit little conscience and show irresponsible actions towards others. Amidst these challenges, Jacque Maritain stages a socio-moral revolution to establish an ideal human and political environment. He posited his “integral humanism” which is founded on love and justice, which aim at the establishment of ideal brotherhood. This paper brings into light what it means to be truly human. One is said to be truly human when he avoids selfishness, builds a life and community base on love and mutual co-existence. The work sets achieve the following aims; to demonstrate that integral humanism is the solution to human crisis, it attempts to justify the claim that philosophy of 'self alone' is false and futile. It further reasserts the viability of the moral system of integral humanism. Finally, the paper submits that integral humanism pursues the specific attainment of full human perfection, happiness and fulfilment of man as a human person. This is essentially a library research work; it employs both expository and analytic philosophical method respectively.