What do humanists believe is the best way to live and where do they locate happiness and meaning?
Humanists believe this is the one life we have and so we need to make the most of it. For humanists, there is no single ‘ultimate’ meaning of life. Instead, it is up to us to make our own lives meaningful. They believe we should be free to decide how we live (as long as we do not cause harm to others), seeking happiness and supporting others to do the same.
Watch a humanist naming ceremony, hear how the parents made it meaningful to them, and use the questions to prompt discussion. (Age 5+)
A symbol of humanism
Are there different ways to be happy?
Explore the humanist understanding of an afterlife and the impact and meaning of our lives
‘Life is like a piece of string. It has a beginning and an end. We don’t get much say about that. But we can make choices about the bit in between. We have the freedom to shape our own lives.’ Alice Roberts narrates this short animation about the humanist approach to life and the importance humanists place on freedom, responsibility, and connections.
Children’s author Philip Pullman gives a humanist perspective on how we should live.
A two-minute video animation explaining humanist naming ceremonies, weddings, and funerals.
Humanists describe how they think human beings can lead happy, worthwhile, and meaningful lives.
How far should our freedom stretch? What responsibilities come with freedom? Can our connections with others limit or enhance our freedom? Find out why humanists value freedom so highly and the responsibilities they believe we have to ourselves and to others. Modelling our lives using a piece of string, students will gain an insight into the humanist perspective on human nature, our potential, our ties to others, and the conclusions humanists reach about how we should live.
Download the full lesson plan and presentation.
View the accompanying animation.
Individual humanists give their answers
How might humanists believe something of us lives on after our deaths?
Explore the humanist understanding of an afterlife and the impact and meaning of our lives
‘Life is like a piece of string. It has a beginning and an end. We don’t get much say about that. But we can make choices about the bit in between. We have the freedom to shape our own lives.’ Alice Roberts narrates this short animation about the humanist approach to life and the importance humanists place on freedom, responsibility, and connections.
Stephen Fry explains a humanist understanding of death and making the most of life in the here and now.
Children’s author Philip Pullman gives a humanist perspective on how we should live.
Stephen Fry explains where humanists think happiness and meaning can be found in life.
A two-minute video animation explaining humanist naming ceremonies, weddings, and funerals.
Humanist celebrants talk about the role that stories can play in dealing with sadness within a humanist funeral.
Humanist celebrants talk about how the impact of our lives can survive us, and how a humanist funeral offers a point to reflect on this.
Philosopher AC Grayling describes how a recognition of tragedy can motivate the way we live.
Philosopher AC Grayling explains why, even in a vast and purposeless universe, human beings might still matter.
Humanists describe how they think human beings can lead happy, worthwhile, and meaningful lives.
Hear punk and folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner speak about creativity, empathy, and making life meaningful.
How far should our freedom stretch? What responsibilities come with freedom? Can our connections with others limit or enhance our freedom? Find out why humanists value freedom so highly and the responsibilities they believe we have to ourselves and to others. Modelling our lives using a piece of string, students will gain an insight into the humanist perspective on human nature, our potential, our ties to others, and the conclusions humanists reach about how we should live.
Download the full lesson plan and presentation.
View the accompanying animation.
How might a humanist respond?
Individual humanists give their answers
How might humanists believe something of us lives on after our deaths?
‘Life is like a piece of string. It has a beginning and an end. We don’t get much say about that. But we can make choices about the bit in between. We have the freedom to shape our own lives.’ Alice Roberts narrates this short animation about the humanist approach to life and the importance humanists place on freedom, responsibility, and connections.
Stephen Fry explains a humanist understanding of death and making the most of life in the here and now.
Stephen Fry explains where humanists think happiness and meaning can be found in life.
Humanist celebrants talk about the role that stories can play in dealing with sadness within a humanist funeral.
Humanist celebrants talk about how the impact of our lives can survive us, and how a humanist funeral offers a point to reflect on this.
Humanist pastoral support trainer and practitioner Carrie Thomas describes the way some humanists approach the end of their lives.
Philosopher AC Grayling describes how a recognition of tragedy can motivate the way we live.
Philosopher Peter Cave explores how a belief that death is the end might inform our attitudes towards it
Philosopher AC Grayling explains why, even in a vast and purposeless universe, human beings might still matter.
Philosopher AC Grayling explains a humanist approach to how we should live.
Humanists describe how they think human beings can lead happy, worthwhile, and meaningful lives.
Philosopher Richard Norman explains how stories can help us to make sense of our lives.
Hear punk and folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner speak about creativity, empathy, and making life meaningful.
How far should our freedom stretch? What responsibilities come with freedom? Can our connections with others limit or enhance our freedom? Find out why humanists value freedom so highly and the responsibilities they believe we have to ourselves and to others. Modelling our lives using a piece of string, students will gain an insight into the humanist perspective on human nature, our potential, our ties to others, and the conclusions humanists reach about how we should live.
Download the full lesson plan and presentation.
View the accompanying animation.
The My Mortality collection offers short, personal, humanist perspectives on death and dying.
‘Life is like a piece of string. It has a beginning and an end. We don’t get much say about that. But we can make choices about the bit in between. We have the freedom to shape our own lives.’ Alice Roberts narrates this short animation about the humanist approach to life and the importance humanists place on freedom, responsibility, and connections.
Stephen Fry explains a humanist understanding of death and making the most of life in the here and now.
Stephen Fry explains where humanists think happiness and meaning can be found in life.
Humanist celebrants talk about the role that stories can play in dealing with sadness within a humanist funeral.
Humanist celebrants talk about how the impact of our lives can survive us, and how a humanist funeral offers a point to reflect on this.
Humanist pastoral support trainer and practitioner Carrie Thomas describes the way some humanists approach the end of their lives.
Philosopher AC Grayling describes how a recognition of tragedy can motivate the way we live.
Philosopher Peter Cave explores how a belief that death is the end might inform our attitudes towards it
Philosopher AC Grayling explains why, even in a vast and purposeless universe, human beings might still matter.
Philosopher AC Grayling explains a humanist approach to how we should live.
Humanists describe how they think human beings can lead happy, worthwhile, and meaningful lives.
Philosopher Richard Norman explains how stories can help us to make sense of our lives.
Hear punk and folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner speak about creativity, empathy, and making life meaningful.
E-book: A guide to the humanist vision of the good life
The My Mortality collection offers short, personal, humanist perspectives on death and dying.
Sartre: Existence precedes essence: A BBC animation on Sartre’s belief that human beings are free to make create themselves through what they do and the responsibility this places upon us
Humanists UK
39 Moreland Street
London EC1V 8BB
education@humanists.uk
@HumanismEdu
© Humanists UK 2024. Registered Charity No. 285987
humanists.uk | Privacy
Illustrations by Hyebin Lee
@humanismedu