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Humanistic Economics
True values. Live consciously. Thrive in the world.
For adults and young professionals. Understand today's economic system without demonizing it. Place true values above materialism without denying reality. Live humanistically in the world as it is.
Why This Course?
Understand, Don't Judge
We live in a capitalist system. Taking this course doesn't mean rejecting it – but understanding it and consciously navigating within it.
Recognize True Values
Money is a tool, not a life purpose. We explore what really counts – relationships, meaning, community – without being naive.
Act Pragmatically
No retreat from the world, but conscious action within it. Living humanistically means: thriving in the world, with values as a compass.
6 Lessons – The Complete Course
Each lesson follows our NIL method: Story → Learning Goal → Task → Reflection → Transfer
1Understanding the Economic System – How Does Our World Work?
📖 Story
Anna, 28, has worked at a company for 3 years. She earns well, but asks herself: Why do I still feel empty? Her grandfather, a farmer, had less money – but seemed more content.
🎯 Learning Goal
Understand the basic mechanisms of today's economic system – growth, consumption, competition – and their effects on people.
✏️ Task
Economic biography: Write your personal story with money, work and consumption. What did you learn from your parents? What still holds true? Group evaluation.
💭 Reflection
What does 'prosperity' mean to me personally? Is it what society tells me, or something else?
🚀 Transfer
For one week, note every purchase and ask: Do I really need this, or is it filling another void?
2True Values vs. Materialism – What Really Counts?
📖 Story
Marco buys the latest smartphone. Three weeks later, the joy has faded. His neighbor doesn't have one – but he laughs more because he cooks with his children every evening.
🎯 Learning Goal
Recognize the difference between material and immaterial values and understand why relationships, meaning and community provide more sustainable satisfaction.
✏️ Task
Value inventory: Create two lists – 'What I own' and 'What makes me happy'. Mark overlaps. Then: Define the 5 most important immaterial values.
💭 Reflection
Confucius said: 'The noble person understands what is right. The small person understands what is profitable.' – What does this mean for my daily life?
🚀 Transfer
Organize a 'values evening' with family or friends: What are our shared values? How do we live them?
3Meaningful Work – Calling Instead of Just a Job
📖 Story
Elena, a lawyer, earns CHF 180,000 a year. She is exhausted and unhappy. Her friend Sara runs a small forest school for CHF 65,000 – and radiates. Elena asks herself: What am I doing wrong?
🎯 Learning Goal
Understand what meaningful work entails and find your own path between economic reality and personal fulfillment.
✏️ Task
Ikigai exercise: Draw four circles – What I love / What I'm good at / What the world needs / What I get paid for. Analyze intersections. Create personal action plan.
💭 Reflection
Pestalozzi said: 'Head, heart and hand' – do I use all three in my work? What's missing?
🚀 Transfer
Define one concrete step to make your own work more meaningful – and implement it within 2 weeks.
4Ethical Consumption – Living in the World As It Is
📖 Story
The Müller family wants to 'live sustainably'. But: Organic food is expensive, the electric car costs CHF 50,000, and the children want Nike shoes like everyone else. Is ethical consumption only for the rich?
🎯 Learning Goal
Develop a realistic, pragmatic approach to ethical consumption – without perfectionism, but with awareness.
✏️ Task
Consumption audit: Analyze a typical week. Where can I consume more consciously without great effort? Where is it unrealistic? Create a pragmatic '80/20 strategy'.
💭 Reflection
The Humanistic School says: It's not about perfection, but about awareness. Where am I too strict with myself? Where too careless?
🚀 Transfer
Change three concrete consumption habits that are feasible – and maintain them for one month.
5Money & Relationships – The Invisible Influence
📖 Story
Thomas and Lisa argue about money – for the third time this week. He saves, she spends. Both feel they're right. But it's not about money at all – it's about security, freedom and recognition.
🎯 Learning Goal
Understand how money influences relationships and develop a healthy approach to it in partnerships and families.
✏️ Task
Money genogram: Map the money history of your own family over 3 generations. Recognize patterns. Then: Have a 'money conversation' with partner/family – with a given structure.
💭 Reflection
Rousseau wrote: 'Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.' – What 'money chains' do I carry? Which can I remove?
🚀 Transfer
Introduce a monthly 'finance ritual' with the family: 30 minutes, open, without blame.
6My Humanistic Compass – Living Economy with Values
📖 Story
At the end of the course stands the question: How do I live in a world oriented towards growth and consumption without losing my values? The answer: Not through withdrawal, but through conscious action.
🎯 Learning Goal
Develop a personal 'humanistic economic compass' – pragmatic, value-oriented and practical for everyday life.
✏️ Task
Final project: 'My Humanistic Economic Compass' – a personal manifesto with 5 concrete principles for dealing with money, work and consumption. Presentation to the group.
💭 Reflection
What has changed in my thinking? Which principles will I really live – and which are (still) wishful thinking?
🚀 Transfer
Hang the compass visibly. Take stock in 6 months: What have I implemented? What was harder than expected?
The Humanistic Difference
This course doesn't preach renunciation or escapism. The Humanistic School Switzerland knows: We live in a market economy. It's about thriving in this world – with awareness, ethics and a clear value framework. Money isn't bad. Consumption isn't evil. But both need a compass.
'It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.' – Jiddu Krishnamurti. But it is also no sign of wisdom to withdraw from it.
Best Price Guarantee for Online Courses
Find the same online course cheaper at a comparable provider? We'll match the price – guaranteed. Quality at the best price.
Every course helps.
For every booked course and every book sold, the Humanistic School Switzerland donates CHF 5 to selected humanitarian projects as part of our international initiative.
"Learning and responsibility go hand in hand. Every course contributes to enabling concrete help on the ground."
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