Religious Moral
Philosophical Studies
Humanism
The question ‘What is humanism?’ is not an easy question to answer. Different people will define humanism in different ways. Humanism is an attempt to answer the question "How should i live?"
Humanism tries to tackle many of the other debates that arise from this question.
What sort of thing am I?
What is my place in this world?
How can I know what is true?
What is a meaningful life?
How should I treat others?
What kind of world do I want?
WRITTEN TASK 1
What is a Humanist?
1) In your own words write ten words to describe what it means to be a humanist?
Now watch the video opposite
2) Were you correct with any of your words?
Add ten words you heard in the video to you list.
What is Truth?
"All I know is I know nothing." Socrates
THOUGHT TASK
Think about the above quote from the famous Greek Philosopher, What do you think he meant by this?
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WRITTEN TASK 2
According to Humanist what is a reliable way to gain knowledge about the world around us if we don't look for answer in holy books or revelations?
Insider/Outsider
When we are looking at viewpoints from different groups it is important to investigate these from different angles. One way is to look from the inside out. If we were part of this group what would be think?
Let's try this with Humanism and ask Humanists how they decide what is true. WATCH the video opposite. How does a Humanist decide what is true?
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What happens when we can't decide what is true?
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When we don't know what is true we have to become rational. This means looking at the evidence you have and then making a decision. The word RATIO is in rational. What ratio of what you want to know is true?
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This is being a rational thinker. Recognising that you may be wrong and then to change your view if new evidence comes along.
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Can you think of a profession where being a rational thinker would be very important?
Give a reason for your answer.
THOUGHT TASK -LISTEN to the story of Ted.
Do you think there is anyway to prove to Ted he is wrong about dogs?
Sometimes for a belief to be reasonable it is not enough to show that is consistent with evidence and this is where things get complicated.