End of Year Exam Revision Guide: Humanism and Human Relationships

Humanism: An Introduction

Key Concepts
  • Humanism: A non-religious worldview based on human values.
  • Morality: The study of right and wrong, being a good person and doing no harm.
  • The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would want to be treated.
Core Beliefs
  • Humanists do not believe in a god or holy book.
  • They emphasize thinking for ourselves about morality, rooted in human nature and shared values.
  • Morality evolves from social instincts and is refined through group living.
  • Empathy, consideration, and weighing consequences are essential.
Moral Decision-Making
  • Morality is about responsibilities to others, not external agents like God.
  • Humanists consider the impact of actions on people's welfare and flourishing.
  • They aim to promote happiness and reduce suffering in this life.
  • Compassion, empathy, and reason are tools for ethical decision-making.
Ultimate Questions
  • Humanists use science to understand the universe's origins, such as the Big Bang (14 billion years ago).
  • They focus on seeking happiness in this life, without belief in an afterlife.
  • Humanists emphasize human welfare, ethical living, and making the most of life on Earth.
Values and Human Rights
  • Humanists share common values that form the basis of laws.
  • They value the environment, society, self, and relationships.
  • Humanists support human rights, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Human Relationships

Key Concepts
  • Human Relationships: Connections, interactions, and bonds that exist between human beings.
  • Friendship: A relationship of mutual affection.
  • Marriage: A civil contract between two people.
  • Self-love: Regard for one’s own worth, well-being and happiness.
Healthy Relationships
  • Relationships should have values such as trust, respect, reliability, honesty, and kindness.
  • Disagreements are normal, but not frequent.
Friendship
  • Good friendships involve consistency, listening, feeling good around each other, empathy, and forgiveness.
  • Signs of bad friendships include only being around when they need something, bad-mouthing other friends, intolerance, evasiveness, and being pushy.
Marriage and Family
  • Marriage unites two people and provides a secure environment for raising children.
  • Same-sex marriage was legalized in the UK in 2014.
  • Alternatives to marriage include cohabitation and arranged marriages (distinct from forced marriages).
  • Factors changing family life include marriage trends, cohabitation, contraception, divorce rates, women's roles, same-sex marriage, globalization, adoption laws, and religion.
Relationships with Non-Human Animals
  • Attitudes towards animals fall into commonality (treating animals as equals) and dominance (using animals for human gain).
  • Arguments exist for and against animal testing.
Relationship with Self and The World
  • Self-love is defined as the regard for one’s own worth, well-being and happiness.
  • Humans have a responsibility to the environment and sustainability for future generations.
  • Actions include sustainable practices, recycling, renewable energy, reducing carbon footprint, and raising awareness.