Humanism provides freedom to experience and appreciate the human experience. However, others argue that without a unifying ideology, social relationships would break down and life would lack purpose. Additionally, some believe humans cannot solve the world's problems alone and require another force. Humanism focuses on the physical world, learning, and openness to new experiences rather than one ideology.

1. I agree
Humanism provides the
height of freedom to
experience, enjoy, and
appreciate the many
dimensions of being
human.
I disagree
I am unsure

2. Humanists move away
from one, single ideology
or philosophy and focus
more on: the physical
world, the joy of learning,
and being open to new
experiences
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3. Many groups worry that without
a unifying ideology, there would
be a breakdown of social
relationships.
Their fears are that life would
be without purpose, would lack
emotional intensity, and that
reason or rationalism alone
cannot provide meaning.
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4. Many argue that we cannot really
know if a philosophy is right or
wrong.
Humanists embrace the idea that
human ingenuity, compassion,
intellect and wherewithal can solve
the problems of the world.
Others argue from a different
perspective, believing that another
power or force is necessary to help
the world, and that humans cannot
do it alone.
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5. I agree
The humanities are,
above all, disciplines of
openness, inclusion,
and respectful
interaction.
I disagree
I am unsure

6. What we see reflected in other
cultures is usually something of
ourselves. All culture seek
beauty, truth, and order.
The humanities help us
understand the troubling but
often penetrating thoughts that
we encounter in our
increasingly digital globe.
Through the humanities we
learn to seek common ground.
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7. The humanities do not provide
objective information.
Because of this, it is difficult to
find solutions to the oldest
questions: Why are we here?
What is the meaning of life?
What happens when we die?
The humanities lack concrete
answers and often make
generalizations about human
nature.
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8. The humanities provide a positive
nature of humankind and present
the free will associated with change.
However many ideologies point to
human determinism or our lack of
power over ourselves.
This determinism could be
biological, in that nature or our
genes control our behaviors.
This determinism could be spiritual,
in that a divine power or force has a
plan.
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9. I agree
The humanities are
singly, the best way to
help you understand
people who think and
live differently from you.
I disagree
I am unsure

10. The humanities have to be
engaged and reengaged,
generation by generation. By
learning about how others have
addressed problems, we
develop new ways of thinking
and new solutions.
Tradition, history, place,
culture—these are all ways in
which we actually live our lives
today. We are where we are,
only because of the past and
because of our neighbors.
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11. The reason there have been
significant budget cuts in
funding the humanities is
because the humanities are not
practical and there is less
interest in art and literature in
today’s world.
Students are interested in
majors which lead to real jobs.
And, often, the social sciences
help explain human nature
better than the humanities.
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12. There were proportionally more
English majors amongst 21-year-
olds in 2011 than in 1981. But we
do not want taxpayers to subsidize
subjects that do not seem to lead
directly to securing a job.
Studies continue to show a choice
of a specific major matters less than
the skills that students acquire. And
in truth, humanities graduates face
no worse unemployment rates than
computer scientists or economists.
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13. I agree
Because Humanism is
the study of the human
mind and its moral and
ethical dimensions, it is
the right framework for
studying the arts
(humanities).
I disagree
I am unsure

14. All groups deal with social
interaction—moderation, personal
integrity, self-control, loyalty,
altruism, justice and so on. If we do
not keep an open-mind, it is difficult
to appreciate without judging,
understand without criticizing, or
empathize without being
disapproving.
Humanism is a form of secularism:
a method which says that a person’s
particular bias should not be part of
education (or analysis).
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15. No culture or civilization has
been compatible with
secularism. The goals of the
state cannot be different from
the goals of the religion.
We cannot undo our personal
bias or our ideological
upbringing. Trying to avoid this
is arbitrary and unreasonable.
Our sense of right and wrong is
based in philosophy and
religion.
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16. Secularism is not necessarily
against any ideology. Instead, it is
an attempt to think and analyze
independent of a specific belief
system. This is the essence of
separation of Church and State.
The argument is that we protect
religions by refusing to interfere with
them. However, the humanities deal
with ideas which often overlap with
religion. One might also ask, is
unbelief a belief? Is secularism a
belief system?
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17. 1: Humanism
Consider returning to
previous questions and
intentionally answering
with the opposite
viewpoint. Read these
opposing ideas and
compare with your
personal beliefs /
values.
2: The Humanities
3: Diversity
4: Humanism & the Humanities