Have any humanists won the Nobel Peace Prize?

Bertrand Russell (AI generated)

Our editorial team tried to find out if any humanists have won the Nobel Peace Prize. We discovered that several individuals who are widely regarded as humanists—in the broad ethical and secular sense—have done so. While the Nobel Committee does not classify laureates by worldview, a number of recipients have espoused humanist values such as reason, secular ethics, universal human rights, and the pursuit of peace through non-violence, diplomacy, and humanitarianism. Notable Nobel Peace Prize laureates who can be associated with humanist values include the following:

Bertrand Russell (1950, Nobel Prize in Literature but peace-related)

Though not a Peace Prize winner, Russell is worth noting. A declared atheist and humanist, he was awarded the Literature Prize partly for his advocacy of freedom of thought, anti-war activism, and nuclear disarmament.

Albert Schweitzer (1952)

Awarded for his philosophy of “Reverence for Life” and humanitarian medical work in Africa. Though rooted in Christian ethics, his philosophy was non-dogmatic and resonated strongly with secular humanist principles.

Martin Luther King Jr. (1964)

A Christian minister, but his civil rights activism, universalism, and belief in non-violence align with many humanist values. Deeply influenced by Gandhi and ideas of human dignity beyond religion.

Andrei Sakharov (1975)

Soviet nuclear physicist turned human rights activist. A secular intellectual and defender of civil liberties. Strong advocate for peace, democracy, and freedom of thought in the USSR.

Nelson Mandela (1993, with F.W. de Klerk)

While not explicitly identified as a humanist, Mandela’s commitment to universal human rights, reconciliation, and dignity has been embraced by humanists globally.

Malala Yousafzai (2014, with Kailash Satyarthi)

Advocates for education, gender equality, and secular public life. Though raised in a Muslim family, her campaign for universal rights and education is rooted in humanist ideals.

Conclusion

No laureate has received the Nobel Peace Prize as a representative of an organised humanist movement, but many recipients—especially those advocating universal ethics, non-violence, and freedom of thought—are widely admired within the global humanist community.