Humanist Lives from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for anyone with an interest in how different people choose to live out their lives and for those who wants to develop an understanding of what it means to be a humanist in the 21st century. It is ideal for teachers and other educators wanting to support their subject knowledge about humanism, and young adults looking to prepare themselves for a degree in the humanities. If you are interested in life’s big questions, you might also be interested in our other online course Introducing Humanism , in which you’ll have the opportunity to engage in a deeper exploration of the humanist approach to questions around knowledge, ethics, and happiness. You can use the hashtag #FLhumanistlives to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Humanist ceremonies and the humanist approach to life
Humanist campaigning: freedom, human rights, and secularism
Humanists around the world: challenges and goals
The humanist approach to difficult transitions and suffering
Sources of depth, wonder, and meaning in a humanist life
Humanists and human progress

Reviews summary

Insightful exploration of modern humanist living

According to learners, "Humanist Lives" offers an incredibly insightful and well-structured exploration of humanism in the 21st century. Many found the course content thought-provoking and praised the focus on practical application of humanist values in daily life, especially concerning difficult transitions and finding meaning. Students particularly valued the excellent facilitators and the enriching peer interactions in forums. While largely seen as a solid and comprehensive introduction, a few learners with prior knowledge found some topics, like Humanists around the world, to be somewhat superficial or too introductory, suggesting it's best for beginners or those seeking an overview. The course materials, including video lectures and readings, were generally well-received for their clarity.

Some found videos dry or presentation dated; others appreciated clarity.

"Some of the videos felt a little dry at times, but the content was always thought-provoking."

"The course has good intentions, but some parts felt a bit dated in terms of presentation. The core concepts are solid, but the delivery could be more dynamic."

"The content is presented clearly and respectfully."

Serves as an excellent introduction for those new to humanism.

"Recommended for anyone curious about this worldview."

"It’s perfect for anyone exploring alternative worldviews or looking to deepen their existing understanding of humanism. Instructor insights were profound."

"Excellent and comprehensive for an introductory course. It perfectly complements 'Introducing Humanism' by showing how these philosophies are lived."

Facilitators provided excellent insights, fostering valuable peer discussions.

"The facilitators were excellent, and the peer interactions in the forums added so much value."

"Instructor insights were profound."

"The peer discussions were also very valuable, connecting with people globally."

Explores how humanist principles apply to daily life and global issues.

"A good overview of humanist principles and their application in real life. I especially enjoyed the modules on humanist ceremonies and campaigning for human rights."

"Engaging and informative. I appreciated the balance between theory and practical application of humanist values. The discussions on secularism and freedom were particularly relevant..."

"I learned a lot about humanist campaigning and how humanism informs a life dedicated to human progress."

Provides a well-structured and profound understanding of humanism.

"This course was incredibly insightful and well-structured. The discussions around finding meaning and navigating difficult transitions from a humanist perspective were particularly profound."

"Absolutely brilliant! The historical context combined with contemporary examples of humanist lives made it engaging."

"Such an enriching experience! This course beautifully articulates the humanist approach to life, offering practical ways to find depth and wonder without supernatural beliefs."

May feel too introductory or superficial for those with prior knowledge.

"I came into this course with a basic understanding of humanism, hoping for a deeper dive. While it covers many topics, some felt a bit superficial..."

"Found this course a bit disappointing. It felt too introductory for my taste and often rehashed concepts I already knew from 'Introducing Humanism'."

"Decent introduction, but it didn't push me much beyond what I already knew. The 'humanists around the world' section felt very brief for such a vast topic."

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