---
title: "Human nature, human potential"
date: "2022-03-15T12:26:23+00:00"
modified: "2025-02-12T10:00:36+00:00"
url: "https://understandinghumanism.org.uk/human-nature-human-potential/"
post_id: 3791
---

# Human nature, human potential

In ‘Human nature, human potential’, Alice Roberts explores the questions at the heart of humanism: ‘What are we?’ ‘What are we capable of?’ and ‘How should we make best use of our capacities?’. Humanists believe we have natural origins, and that we can find joy, meaning, and purpose in life, without the need for resources beyond the natural world, but by making the most of our capabilities.

They acknowledge our potential for irrationality, selfishness, and poor decision-making, but emphasise that these shortcomings are not always personal failings but often stem from external circumstances beyond our control. We therefore have a collective responsibility to try to build a world in which everyone has the freedom, rights, and opportunities for their positive capacities to flourish.

The animation and accompanying resources (below) will support teachers to illustrate a humanist approach to life in a memorable way, connecting the different features of the human body to those capacities humanists celebrate.

#### **Resources**

[Illustration](https://understandinghumanism.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/Human-nature-human-potential-illustration.pdf) of the Happy Human with core vocabulary

[Activity and teacher’s notes](https://understandinghumanism.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/Human-nature-human-potential-activity-and-notes.pdf) on the Happy Human illustration and how it links to humanism

[Slides](https://understandinghumanism.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/Human-nature-human-potential.pptx) of the Happy Human illustration and quotes

[Blank Happy Human](https://understandinghumanism.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/10/Happy-Human-symbol-1.pdf)

Animation by [Abigail Lamb Animation](https://abimation.com/)

[Download Full Size](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jJ-O3h6FSIIxIuA1ZjM9tUzu3oz9Rsu6/view?usp=drive_link)