Here are four honest questions about humanism that emphasize the value of human beings, individually and collectively.
The belief is that we can control our thinking, behavior, and actions.
First Question: On a scale of one to ten, how much control do you have over your thinking, decisions, and behavior? That’s one of the characteristics of humanism.
Second Question: On a scale of one to ten, how much compassion do you model daily?
Compassion: A Part Of Humanism
Compassion is a profound human emotion prompted by the pain of others.
More vigorous than sympathy, compassion prompts us to act to relieve the suffering of others.
It’s an emotional response when we perceive another’s suffering and involves an authentic desire to help alleviate it.
Compassion is about:
- Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
- Altruism: Acting for the benefit of others without expecting anything in return.
- Understanding: Recognizing the suffering of others and acknowledging the nature of human experiences.
- Connection: Feeling connected to others and realizing that suffering is an aspect of the human condition.
- Kindness: Responding with gentleness, warmth, and care when confronted with someone else’s suffering.
- Support: Offering emotional, physical, or practical assistance to those in need.
- Action: Going beyond feeling or understanding to alleviate someone else’s distress.
Compassion is about how individuals should treat one another. It is about how and why we empathize with others and how to cultivate compassion in society.
Compassion can have beneficial effects on both the giver and the receiver. It is associated with well-being, decreased stress, and increased social connectedness.
Cultivating compassion in communities and individuals promotes societal harmony and reduces social tensions.
The Third Question: On a scale of one to ten, how important is it for you each day to improve your life and the lives of others?
The Fourth Question: On a scale of one to ten, how much do you value reason, education, science, and critical thought?
So, how did you do?
When we ask each other about thoughts, feelings, and opinions, we feel safe. We feel protected and, most importantly, willing to take safe risks essential to learning.