Our place in the ‘Cosmos’: Carl Sagan’s Humanism in 5 quotes

[rug]

Chris Stedman | Mar 9, 2014

Astronomer Carl Sagan is widely credited with inspiring a generation of scientists—and with good reason.

In fact, when I recently asked Sagan’s first doctoral student David Morrison what Sagan’s legacy is, Morrison replied: “Carl Sagan inspired a generation of scientists.”

But Sagan’s humanistic words and actions also inspired a generation of other people to better understand themselves and others, and to work for a better world. Sagan was an agnostic, and openly shared his skepticism about religious claims—but he also offered a positive, vibrant vision for a humanistic society.

When Fox-TV launches the reboot of “Cosmos” tonight, a new generation will be inspired by Sagan’s legacy. To celebrate, I’ve compiled (out of many others) five of my favorite quotes from Sagan that represent his humanistic worldview. Please share your favorites in the comments.

http://chrisstedman.religionnews.com/2014/03/09/cosmos-carl-sagans-humanism/

[cbayer]

1. Lovely. I have never thought that humanism meant anti-theism and

Sagan exemplifies all that is good about it.