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Introducing Humanism

Non-religious Approaches to Life

Richard Norman, Luke Donnellan, Teddy Prout, Sophie Colligan, Alan Brine, and Simon Nightingale

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 suitable for anyone looking to develop their understanding of humanism. It will particularly appeal to those with a passion for exploring life’s big questions. It will also be of value to teachers and other educators wanting to develop their subject knowledge about non-religious beliefs, and to sixth-form students looking to prepare themselves for a degree in the humanities. If you are interested in human stories, you might also be interested in our other online course Humanist Lives , in which you’ll have the opportunity to meet humanists from around the world and learn about what it means to be a humanist in the 21st century. You can use the hashtag #FLhumanism to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

The humanist understanding of human beings: our nature, capacities, and responsibilities
How humanists answer questions about the world (science, reason, scepticism) and the consequences for a humanist understanding of reality
A humanist approach to making life meaningful and the value of individual freedom
The origins and evolution of morality and a humanist perspective on how to be good
The humanist vision for society (secularism, freedoms, and human rights) and the motivations behind their goals
Different definitions of humanism, its history, and its diversity

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Reviews summary

Introduction to humanism and non-religious life

Based solely on the course description, this course published by Humanists UK appears designed as a comprehensive introduction to humanism and non-religious approaches to life. It seems likely to cover a broad range of topics, including humanist perspectives on human nature, the world, morality, and society, as well as its history and diversity. It is presented as suitable for beginners, including lifelong learners curious about the topic, students preparing for humanities degrees, and educators seeking to develop subject knowledge on non-religious beliefs. However, as an introductory course, it may offer a high-level overview rather than deep philosophical dives, potentially making it less suitable for advanced learners. It may also focus primarily on the Humanists UK viewpoint.

Likely emphasizes Humanists UK perspective.

"I'd expect it to present the Humanist UK's view on these topics, given who published it."

"It could be useful for understanding one major humanist organization's stance."

"I don't expect it to cover all global or historical humanist variations equally."

Well-suited for those new to the subject.

"Seems ideal for exploring non-religious viewpoints."

"This seems like a good starting point if I'm just curious about humanism."

"It looks helpful for students or teachers who need foundational knowledge."

Provides a broad overview of humanism topics.

"It seems to give a broad overview of humanism, touching on its history and different perspectives."

"I anticipate it would explore how humanists approach big questions about life, morality, and society."

"Looks like it would be useful for getting a handle on the key ideas and principles."

May not offer deep dives for advanced learners.

"As an introduction, I wouldn't expect it to go into deep philosophical detail on every point."

"It might be too basic if I already have a strong background in secular thought."

"I imagine it sets the stage but likely requires further reading for advanced study."

Career center

Learners who complete Introducing Humanism: Non-religious Approaches to Life will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introducing Humanism: Non-religious Approaches to Life.

Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition

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Memoir by Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist who survived the Nazi concentration camps. In it, he argues that the search for meaning is the primary motivating force in human life, and that even in the most difficult circumstances, we can find meaning in our suffering.

Man's Search for Meaning: Gift Edition

Hardcover

Man's Search for Meaning, Gift Edition

Mass Market Paperback

Man's Search for Meaning: Gift Edition

Kindle Edition