What Humanism Isn’t: Humanism Isn’t Just for Intellectuals
The Myth: Humanism Is Only for Academics & Scholars
When people hear about Humanism, they sometimes assume it’s a philosophy for intellectuals, scholars, and deep thinkers.
📌 “Oh, so it’s like a secular philosophy thing?”
📌 “That sounds really complicated.”
📌 “I’m not a big reader—I don’t really get into that kind of stuff.”
The assumption is that Humanism is something you have to study.
That you need to read thick philosophy books, understand big words, or have a college degree to even begin to grasp it.
But the truth?
📌 If you remember learning about the Golden Rule in elementary school, you already understand Humanism.
It’s not about complicated theories or intellectual superiority. It’s about one simple idea—treat others with kindness because we’re in this together.
And I know this because I understood Humanism before I even knew what the word meant.
My Story: Understanding Humanism Without Even Knowing It
I don’t have a college degree. I never studied philosophy.
But I didn’t need to—because before I even heard the word Humanism, I was already living it.
As a kid, I was taught the Golden Rule—treat others the way you want to be treated.
That’s it. That’s the whole thing.
📌 Be kind. Take care of one another. Help when you can.
📌 Do good—not because of rules, but because it makes the world better.
That’s not intellectualism. That’s basic human decency.
Yet, I’ve had conversations where people dismiss Humanism as something too complex or too academic.
They assume if it’s not tied to a religion, it must be tied to intellectual elitism.
And sure, some people love to debate the deep philosophical aspects of Humanism—just like some people love debating the finer points of religion.
But at its core, Humanism isn’t about high-level theory.
📌 It’s about real people, real compassion, and real life.
And if you believe in treating people well, you don’t need a degree to be a Humanist.
What Humanism Actually Is
📌 Humanism isn’t about proving how much you know. It’s about how much you care.
📌 Humanism isn’t about deep academic study. It’s about living with integrity, compassion, and responsibility.
📌 Humanism isn’t about overcomplicating morality. It’s about choosing kindness because it’s the right thing to do.
Anyone—no matter their background, education, or beliefs—can live by Humanist values.
Because Humanism isn’t just for intellectuals—it’s for people who care about the world and want to make it better.
What the Experts Say (Without Getting Preachy)
Philosopher Richard Norman put it simply:
"Humanism is not an intellectual exercise, but a way of life—an attitude of care for others and the world around us."
It’s not about being smart. It’s about being good.
The Takeaway: Humanism Is for Everyone
Some people love to overcomplicate Humanism.
But in reality? It’s one of the simplest and most natural ways to live.
👉 If you believe in treating others well, you’re already practicing Humanist values.
👉 If you believe in kindness, responsibility, and fairness, you’re already on the path.
👉 You don’t need a degree to be a Humanist—you just need compassion.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how much you know—it’s about how much you care.
Stay curious. Stay human. And always, be kind.
Where This Series Goes Next
🔹 This post is the third in my “What Humanism Isn’t” series—debunking the biggest myths about Humanism and what it truly stands for.
📝 Upcoming Posts in the Series:
🔹 “Humanism Isn’t a Utopian Fantasy” (Recognizing that Humanists don’t expect perfection—just progress.)
🔹 “Humanism Isn’t a Cult or a Religion” (Debunking the myth that Humanism is just another belief system with rules.)
Stay tuned for the next post, and if this resonates with you, join the conversation—follow me on Socials or check out more posts.
