Foundations of Secular Humanism: Reason, Ethics, and Human Flourishing Without the Supernatural

Secular Humanism is among the most commonly misunderstood philosophical positions — often caricatured as a simple absence of religion rather than understood as a positive, substantive life stance with a rich intellectual history and a developed ethical framework. In reality, Secular Humanism represents a considered philosophical commitment: to ground ethics in reason and human experience rather than divine command, to affirm the value and potential of human beings without supernatural support, and to pursue human flourishing as a project worth taking seriously on its own terms. By the end of this course you will be able to trace the historical development of humanist thought from Renaissance humanism through Enlightenment rationalism to contemporary organized humanism, state the core philosophical commitments of Secular Humanism and distinguish them from atheism, agnosticism, and religious humanism, explain the humanist approach to ethics, meaning, and community, and engage critically with major objections to Secular Humanism from both religious and secular philosophical positions. What you will learn: - The distinction between Renaissance humanism, religious humanism, and Secular Humanism - Enlightenment roots: reason, autonomy, and the rejection of divine authority in Kant, Hume, and their successors - The nineteenth century secularization narrative and the emergence of organized humanism - Core commitments: naturalism, reason, science, human dignity, and democratic values - Humanist ethics: deriving moral frameworks from human experience without recourse to theistic grounding - The major humanist manifestos (1933, 1973, 2003): their historical context and philosophical claims - Organized humanism today: the American Humanist Association, Humanists UK, and the International Humanist and Ethical Union - Objections and responses: religious critiques, postmodern critiques, and the challenge of meaning without transcendence The course is organized across five chronological and thematic units, each combining explanatory readings, primary source excerpts, and analytical commentary. Case examples show how humanist principles apply to ethical dilemmas, community organization, and secular ceremony (weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies). Reflection prompts invite you to consider your own relationship to the ideas introduced and where you agree or disagree. Self-assessment exercises test your understanding of the philosophical distinctions that define Secular Humanism as a distinct position. This course is designed for students and general readers curious about secular philosophy, ethics without religion, or the intellectual history of modern secularism. It is suitable for those new to Secular Humanism as a philosophical subject, whether approaching from religious curiosity, secular practice, or academic interest. No prior background in philosophy or religious studies is required.