Humanists argue that there is something special about human beings and that to live well we must grow up, overcome our childish and brutish temptations, and become fully human.  Secular Enlightenment humanists think this is something human beings can and should try to pull off on their own – through personal and collective human efforts.  Religious Humanists raise worries about this secular program and emphasize the need for humility and divine agency or assistance.

I interview Jennifer Herdt (Yale Divinity School) about her new book, Forming Humanity, which explores what we can learn from German Enlightenment intellectuals and their debates about these issues.