Humanly Possible

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The bestselling, prizewinning author explores 700 years of writers, thinkers, scientists, and artists seeking to understand what it means to be truly human. If you’re reading this, you likely resonate with humanism, whether or not you label yourself as such. You might be drawn to literature and the humanities, base your moral choices on empathy and responsibility rather than religious dictates, or believe that individual lives hold more significance than grand political ideologies. If so, you are part of a rich tradition of humanist thought, sharing it with remarkable figures throughout history who prioritized rational inquiry, cultural richness, freedom of thought, and hope. This work introduces some of these influential individuals while examining the essence of humanism and its enduring presence despite challenges from fanatics, mystics, and tyrants. It is filled with ideas, personalities, and diverse ways of living—from the literary enthusiasts of the fourteenth century to contemporary secular advocates, including Erasmus, Christine de Pizan, Bertrand Russell, and Zora Neale Hurston. The narrative takes readers on an engaging journey, celebrating open-mindedness, optimism, freedom, and the significance of the present—humanist values that have guided us through dark times and remain crucial in today’s world.