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Humanist Resources: Home

The goal of this guide is to provide resources for both the introductory and advanced study of humanism, including its history, its people, its ideas, and the communities built around it. 

What is Humanism?

Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The lifestance of Humanism—guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience—encourages us to live life well and fully. It evolved through the ages and continues to develop through the efforts of thoughtful people who recognize that values and ideals, however carefully wrought, are subject to change as our knowledge and understandings advance.

- Humanist Manifesto III

Introductory Digital Material

American Humanist Association : Are you Humanist?

Unitarian Universalist Humanist Association: About Religious Humanism

Unitarian Universalist Association: UU Humanists Overview

Introductory Books

Humanist Special Collection

This guide was created as part of the Humanist Special Collection at the Meadville Lombard Library and Archives. The Humanist Special Collection houses archival materials that document the growth and impact of humanism within both Unitarian Universalism and the larger world. The Humanist Special Collection contains personal papers from notable humanists, the records of humanist organizations and congregations, and collections centered around specific themes and events tied to humanism.

Ask a Librarian

If you have any questions about resources in this guide, just ask!

We can help with...

  • Creating library accounts
  • Checking out books
  • Using digital resources
  • Answering research and reference questions
  • Using the Humanist Special Collection

Ask an Archivist

If you have any questions about the Meadville Lombard Archives and Special Collections, just ask!

We can help with...

  • Scheduling an archive visit
  • Accessing archival materials
  • Using our digital archive tools
  • Answering reference questions
  • Scanning selections of documents
  • Donating archival material to Meadville Lombard
  • Creating archives at your local congregation

Meadville Lombard Wiggin Library
180 N. Wabash Ave.
Suite 625 
Chicago, IL 60601


Library and Archives Phone: 312-546-6488        Library Email: library@meadville.edu        Archives Email: archives@meadville.edu