Question

According to paul kurtz, since there is not god, man must save himself. what does kurtz mean by “save” himself?

Answer 1

Paul Kurtz suggests that in the absence of God, humans must 'save' themselves by creating their own purpose in life, embracing their inherent freedom, and making their own ethical choices based on rational thought.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Paul Kurtz and other existential thinkers like Sartre and Nietzsche, the idea of "saving" oneself refers to the human responsibility of creating one’s own meaning and purpose in life in the absence of a divine being. When Kurtz speaks of man needing to "save" himself, he means that humans have to take charge of their own lives, defining their morality and values based on rational thinking and their experiences.

Existentialists argue that freedom is an inherent part of the human condition, and with it comes the responsibility to make choices. Since they believe that our essence is not predetermined by any divine figure or scripture, our "salvation" is in the form of self-realization and embracing our condemnation to be free.

The concept of "saving" oneself is therefore linked to existentialist philosophy, where each individual is responsible for finding their own path and guiding themselves through life's challenges, without relying on an external deity for moral or ethical guidance.

Answer 2

Kurtz was born in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 31, 1925, the son of a free-thinking businessman and a homemaker. He was not raised Jewish and for a time affiliated with the Unitarian Church. He left when he realized "you can lead a good life without being a member of a church," according to a 1987 Chicago Tribune interview. he believes that it is up to you to be a good person.