Philosophy of Humanity

Anthropology (Philosophy of Humanity)

Current Issues

Despite the active development of philosophical anthropology in the 20th and 21st centuries and the vibrant discourse surrounding the topic of humanity, several key questions remain open and in need of discussion and resolution.

• The first crucial issue in contemporary anthropological discourse is the problem of human origin. The debate is between creationism and evolutionism. The term "creationism" derives from the Latin "creatio" (creation). Creationism is based on the belief that God created humanity, making humans unique creations with inherent value. Evolutionism, on the other hand, is the concept that humans arose through evolution and natural selection. Creationism is grounded in the sacred scriptures of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and forms an integral part of the worldview of the faithful. Evolutionism is primarily supported by secular thinkers. This debate, which has been central to anthropology over the last century, raises several questions. Firstly, do creationism and evolutionism truly contradict each other, or could it be possible that God created humanity through the process of evolution? Secondly, despite the widespread dissemination of evolutionism in textbooks, it remains subject to numerous questions. The theory of evolution is merely one possible answer to the question of human origin, not a proven fact. Therefore, this issue remains unresolved.
• The second question concerns the beginning of human life and the associated dignity of the person. It is now evident that human life (biological and mental processes) begins at conception. If a person is considered human from the moment of conception, then their dignity should be protected from that point onward. This is incongruous with the practice of artificial abortion, which is legalized in some countries, including Ukraine. Advocates of abortion argue this practice is justified by the mother's right to make decisions about her own body. However, this debate often neglects the child's right to life and the responsibilities of parents and society for that life.
• The third issue is the dignity of human life under any conditions. In some countries, the death penalty is still used for serious crimes. Proponents of capital punishment argue that it is necessary to completely isolate irredeemable criminals from society. Opponents of the death penalty contend that society has not given life to anyone and therefore cannot take it away. Punishment should be used solely for the purpose of reforming the criminal, not for retribution. Since a executed criminal cannot be rehabilitated, the death penalty appears more as an act of vengeance by society rather than as a concern for reform. Moreover, vengeance is a harsh and cruel response that breeds hatred and anger within society.
• The fourth issue in anthropological discourse is the problem of euthanasia. The word "euthanasia" is Greek, meaning a "good death." It refers to the killing of a person by medical means in cases where the person suffers from an incurable illness and requests to be put to death. Proponents of euthanasia believe that keeping such a person alive only prolongs their suffering. Opponents argue that a person is an inviolable value under any circumstances, and there are no cases in which life can be justifiably taken. The practice of euthanasia sets a precedent for cruelty and inhumanity that should be unacceptable.
• The fifth question that philosophical anthropology and moral philosophy will need to address in the future is genetic engineering. It is crucial to determine the extent to which science should intervene in the human organism and whether attempts to create human organs or even entire organisms can genuinely contribute to human happiness and comprehensive development.

In addition to these prominent issues in anthropological discourse, there remain significant and relevant problems that, while not purely anthropological, have a profound impact on human life. Relations between individuals and the state, the extent of permissible state intervention in the lives of individuals, their families, religions, and communities, are assessed differently across various cultures. Freedom is an unquestionable value for every individual, yet its definition varies across cultures. The search for the boundary between freedom and responsibility should continue to be a topic of further discussion. Equally important and contentious is the issue at the intersection of anthropology and related disciplines: economics. Millions of people worldwide still live in poverty, lacking basic necessities, proper medical care, and access to education. This issue is not only about the economic problems of underdeveloped countries but also about the reactions of citizens in wealthier nations. In European and American public discourse, this problem is becoming increasingly prominent, with humanitarian aid from affluent countries being a crucial means of rescuing those in critical poverty. Wars and disasters cause the migration of refugees, who often face rejection and distrust from local populations in their new settlements. Likewise, native populations encounter dangers brought by migrants. Migration problems are often linked to anthropological discourse: the more one perceives others as equals, the easier it becomes to address issues of cohabitation in a shared territory. An incredibly pressing issue related to the survival of humanity is ecology. Today, there are parts of the world where residents lack access to drinking water. Global warming and environmental pollution from industrial waste highlight the urgent question of human survival.