Humility | Institute for Social Concerns

Humility

What is Humility?

Defining Humility

You have probably heard the word humility, but might not be sure exactly what it is or even if it is good for people who want to succeed. This short animated video features three perspectives on humility from well-known thinkers, and invites you to consider what humility is and how it is lived.

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Humility in Action

documentary short

A Day with Dr. Zimmer

Donny Zimmer works in the Emergency Department at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. This documentary short welcomes you into the hospital, and shows how humility, courage, and curiosity shape his work and life.

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more videos

case studies

Business

Culture or Control

A corporate acquisition raises questions about humility when experienced executives discount a startup founder’s insight into the intangible value of culture and collaboration.

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Engineering

Trust the Experts

The case examines whether humility requires an accomplished engineer to remain open to the possibility that a junior colleague may have identified a critical flaw he himself has overlooked.

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Law

The Pro Bono Project

A new lawyer’s confidence is tested when humility calls him to acknowledge the limits of his expertise in a pro bono housing case.

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Medicine

A First-Year Medical Student’s Dilemma

The case highlights how humility can both restrain and empower a trainee when confronting a potential mistake by those more senior.

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resources

Example Syllabus

Intro to Community Engagement

An interdisciplinary examination of the theoretical and analytical tools essential for understanding and working in community as a person of character.

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Example Syllabus

Ethics of Entrepreneurship

This course explores the ethical challenges faced by founders and entrepreneurial teams—from exaggerating a pitch to misusing customer data or automating bias in AI.

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Example Syllabus

Modeling Cellular and Molecular Systems

Professor Cameron Kim researches strategies to incorporate ethics-guided design into bioengineering courses and character formation in engineers.

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Reflection

Philosophical Living

If philosophy is training for living well, then we need to practice philosophical living! Students are asked to undertake a specific practice and then reflect on that experience in a journal.

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Quiz

Intellectual Humility Quiz

This quiz is a useful tool to start a conversation about humility and its connection to learning and living well within diverse communities.

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Reflection

Data Analysis & Jean Duhamel

Students write responses to thought-provoking questions in the associated online class discussion board, and also provide a thoughtful response to two of their peers.

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In-Class Activity

Active Listening

Active listening involves dedicated time for pairs of students to engage in a structured conversation. Then, students reflect on how seeing through another’s eyes impacted taste & interests in light of the discussion of virtues.

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