What is a humanism. Merriam-Webster defines humanism as “a system of values and beliefs that is based on the idea that people are basically good and that problems can be solved using reason instead of religion” Moreover, American Humanist Association defines humanism as “ Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. In Still Alice, some part of the story refers to both definition of humanism : people built up the new medicine , Alice go to hospice and Lydia did not attend university.
In the first definition, Merriam-Webster defines that “people are basically good and that problem can be solved using reason instead of religion” in Still Alice , it talks to have invented a cure with a new medicine. Demonstrate that the solution is to use scientific reasoning. Scientific knowledge is a knowledge that needs to be explained why the results. Alzheimer disease has no cure but the human try to build up new drugs because humans have the wisdom to solve the problem by science and not relying on the supernatural, Solve the problem with reason and they belief that humans have the ability to do
The second definition , American Humanist Association defines that “human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives” Alice go to hospice to observation and inquiry because she knows that someday her memory will stretch down. It show about in her mind, she has a responsibility and chooses her last part of life with herself. She do not want to be a burden to her family so, she have idea to live in hospice even last, she did not but it show about her choice
Next scene , Lydia did not attend university . It is referred to the second definition. She chooses her way with herself. She chose to study acting instead entrance to a university that her mom told her. Choose the path of her life, follow her dreams because “to give meaning and shape to their own lives” in American Humanist Association definition. Although her mother or who would choose the path for her But she was not interested and committed to studying the next show. And at last her mother has the illness. She chose a new path in her life. The university entrance exam . It shows that she has to change her own life path.
In conclusion, a humanism has many meanings. It defines as a human can be solved the problem with reason and not relying on religion, like the human effort to making new medicine they have reason and wisdom , persistent effort was involved in completing the work. Humanism is a human have responsibility and they can choose their life with themselves as Alice try to solve the problem, she prepares herself for the future and Lydia chose her dream to be an actress and do not permit her mom to control her life. All of this is some part of a story that can explain what the humanism is.