Humanism: deciding right from wrong
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how humanists make ethical decisions.
Key learning points
- Philosophers use thought experiments to explore solutions to big questions.
- Humanists look to reason and empathy to answer big questions.
- Humanists aim to promote happiness and reduce suffering when making ethical decisions.
Keywords
Thought experiment - a philosophical tool to test ideas in made-up scenarios
Ethical - part of philosophy; questions about living a good life and what is right and wrong
Consequences - the outcome of a choice or action
Common misconception
Using empathy when making ethical decisions means that all humanists will reach the same conclusions.
Humanists may reach different moral decisions as they feel empathy differently.
Teacher tip
Humanists UK coordinate speakers to come into schools and speak to pupils. Reach out to them to have a humanist visitor so pupils can ask them how they make ethical decisions and what is important to them.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What do humanists believe about humans and nature?
Q2.What helps humanists make decisions about how to live?
Q3.Some humanists become because they care about animals.
Q4.Humanists believe their actions can have an on animals and the planet.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Philosophers use experiments to help them explore big ideas about life and ethics.
Q2.What is empathy?
Q3.Humanists try to reduce and increase happiness through their choices.
Q4.Is it possible for humanists to disagree and still use empathy?
To help you plan your 5 religious education lesson on: Humanism: deciding right from wrong, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 religious education lesson on: Humanism: deciding right from wrong, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 religious education lessons from the Humanists: How can you lead a happy and meaningful life? unit, dive into the full primary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.