< December: Freedom and Authority

january: secular humanism

Secular humanism is the most common world-view a student will encounter in college. This seminar explores what secular humanism claims and how it is in competition with religious world-views. Specifically, we explore how many controversial social and cultural questions can take secular humanist assumptions as unquestioned premises. We dive into these issues and intensify where secular humanist ideas are present.

Questions covered in class

• What is secular humanism?

• Is it compatible with religious belief? How strong are its foundations?

• What is the difference between the Christian and Secular Humanist view on specific topics, such as God’s existence, autonomy, scientific knowledge?

• What is the “logic” of secular humanism: how do certain principles follow from others?

• What is scientism and how is reason broader than mathematical thinking alone (and the roots of those ideas)?

• Why would someone be a secular humanist? What are the moral problems that could lead someone to have certain intellectual commitments?