Information about the course

This course is not designed to present a body of facts about humanism (there is no doctrine or creed). Instead, it aims to present a series of questions and issues that many humanists grapple with, and to explore how they might respond. There is diversity within humanism, and a humanist outlook on life involves the belief that everything is open to question. This course will therefore try not to lay down any ‘absolute truths’ about the nature of humanism, nor to generalise its claims as being representative of all humanists. Some of the content will express personal opinions about humanist beliefs and values. Where consensus can be found between humanists on their beliefs and values, we will try to reflect this. However, we will also explore the tensions and dilemmas contained within the humanist approach to life.

Nor are we trying to persuade anyone that they ought to become a humanist: rather, we aim to develop your understanding of why humanists believe it is the most reasonable and responsible approach to life. You will not be expected to agree. The humanist approach is just one example of the many different ways human beings have tried to answer life’s big questions about how things are, what we can know, and how we should live. It is, however, important to recognise that humanism is an approach to life that has had a significant, but often under-acknowledged, impact on the beliefs and values of a large and growing number of the world’s population today.

The desired goal, however, is not just to raise your understanding of humanism. Whether you agree, disagree, or lie somewhere in between, our ambition is that you are able to use what you learn to support your own thinking about the questions explored.

We hope that you will see the course content as a stimulus, as something to be discussed and disagreed with, interrogated and improved upon. Hopefully, it will raise further questions and awaken your hunger to explore more deeply.

A note

When we use the word ‘humanists’ in this course, we do not claim to speak for all humanists. However, it would be cumbersome to say ‘many’ or ‘most’ or ‘some’ humanists every time we speak about something on which the majority of humanists would agree, even if there might not be unanimous agreement. Where, on the other hand, disagreement is more prevalent among humanists, we will be more explicit about it.