Understanding Humanism

Humanist Perspectives

Animal welfare

How can evidence and empathy inform decisions about animal welfare? What do humanists think about eating meat?

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Humanists UK’s animal welfare campaign page

Crime and punishment

What purpose might humanists see in punishment? Do humanists support the death penalty?

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Interview with humanist probation officer and pastoral carer Amy Waldon 

Animation: Lex talionis and retribution: Stephen Fry provides a humanist perspective on the potentially negative consequences of retribution

Humanist Heritage article on the history of humanist pastoral care

 

Dialogue

Why might a humanist be motivated to engage in dialogue with religious people? What areas of common ground can be found?

Interview with Humanists UK’s Dialogue Officer Jeremy Rodell

Interviews with Dialogue Network volunteer Hannah McKerchar

Environmental Issues

Why might humanists care about the environment? Is the natural world only important because of its use to human beings?

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Interview with former Co-Leader of the Green Party, Siân Berry

Humanist Climate Action

Humanist Heritage article on the history of humanist environmentalism

Faith schools

Why might humanists object to faith schools? What arguments might they use?

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Interview with Humanists UK education campaigners

Organ donation

What do humanists think about donating our organs after we die?

Jamie Theakston provides a humanist perspective on the new organ donation laws

War and peace

Do humanists think war can ever be justified? Why might a humanist join the armed forces? How do humanists work for peace?

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Interview with members of Defence Humanists

Interview with Defence Humanists patron and philosopher A C Grayling on war, its causes, its justifications, and how we might avoid it.

Humanist Heritage article on conscientious objection

Humanist Heritage article on the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

More coming soon!

Humanist perspectives on their way on prejudice and discrimination, wealth and poverty, and medical ethics.

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Understanding Humanism

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Illustrations by Hyebin Lee