Leon Edel

From Philosopedia

Leon Edel (9 September 1907 - 5 September 1997)

A biographer and literary critic, Joseph Leon Edel was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and taught at New York University (1953 to 1973), making a scholarly career out of researching and writing about Henry James. His five-volume biography of James (1953 - 1985) received critical acclaim, and he published numerous editions of his letters and other writings.

Asked about seven basic connotations of humanism, he responded,

• These are all such long definitions and what is needed is brevity, for there lies clarity. I therefore offer:

The feeling for and study of all that pertains to the human order as distinct from the Divine.

I think think of this as necessary because of the gross distortions of definition that have occurred in recent years especially under the conservative tutelage. I don't see the need for "secular" if you accept my definition. It defines itself.