Humanist Society (Singapore)

This award recognises a humanist who has made a significant positive impact to Singapore. Through this award, the Society wishes to show the society at large that living life as a humanist can be both fulfilling and meaningful, and a significant secular, non-religious segment of our society exists and actively contributes to Singapore’s progress as a nation and a member of the global community.

 

Similar awards are given by notable Humanist organisations around the world. The American Humanist Association gave out their first Humanist of the Year award in 1953. Renowned winners of this award include astronomer Carl Sagan (1981), evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins (1996) and philosopher Steven Pinker (2006).  

 

Catherine is known for her many books that touch on Malaysian and Singapore culture as well as her incisive writings on the political landscape of Singapore. Her writings have inspired the lives of many Singaporeans, giving them a rare luxury in our fast-paced modern city – the chance to reflect deeply into their lives and the people around them.  

 

She has published seven novels, ten collections of short stories, two poetry collections and one semi-philosophical book about philosophy, life and death  (Unhurried Thoughts at My Funeral). Her latest book 'A Watershed Election' is a compilation of her political commentaries on the General Election of 2011, published by Marshall Cavendish'. Awards received by Catherine include Honorary Doctorate in Literature from Murdoch University and Southeast Asia Write Award. 

 

Catherine will be giving a short speech at this event, titled Being Human, Humane, Humanist - the Whole Shebang'. She will talk about her 30-year-old journey - most arduous indeed! - from doubt, uncertainty and anxiety, to calm understanding, acceptance, peace and joy. It is an atheist's version of the sacred pilgrimage, except that the final arrival has nothing to do with God, and everything to do with humanity - who we are, where we came from, and how we should relate to one another in our one-time existence on this, our wonderful planet.' 

 

At the end of which she to take questions from the audience. Her books will be on sale too.