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Humanism

n. kind, hopeful formal

What it means

Meaning 1

A family of ethical or philosophical views that emphasizes human dignity, reason, welfare, and agency.

Reach for it when discussing a human-centered worldview while identifying its particular tradition

Her humanism joined confidence in reason with a commitment to equal dignity.

Meaning 2

The Renaissance study of classical texts, languages, and human culture.

Reach for it when describing the historical intellectual movement rather than modern secular ethics

The course traces how Renaissance humanism changed education and civic writing.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
everyday
professional
formal

Meaning 1: A family of ethical or philosophical views that emphasizes human dignity, reason, welfare, and agency.

  • everyday

    human-centered ethics

    Fits when plain language should emphasize human welfare and agency

    Careful The phrase lacks humanism's philosophical history and can ignore nonhuman life.

  • professional

    humanitarianism

    Fits when relieving suffering through organized action is the subject

    Careful Humanitarianism is a relief ethic and practice, not a general philosophy of human nature or knowledge.

  • professional

    secular humanism

    Fits when a nonreligious ethical worldview grounded in reason and human responsibility is meant

    Careful Not all humanism is secular, and the term should not be applied to religious humanists.

  • formal

    personalism

    Fits when the irreducible dignity of persons is the central philosophical claim

    Careful Many forms of personalism are religious and differ from humanism about reason and transcendence.

  • formal

    rationalism

    Fits when reason rather than revelation is the main source of knowledge

    Careful Rationalism is an epistemic position and does not by itself commit to human dignity or welfare.

Meaning 2: The Renaissance study of classical texts, languages, and human culture.

  • professional

    classical scholarship

    Fits when study of ancient languages and texts is the factual activity

    Careful Classical scholarship can occur without the educational and civic ideals of Renaissance humanism.

  • professional

    Renaissance humanism

    Fits when classical learning in the European Renaissance is specifically intended

    Careful The label is historically bounded and should not replace every modern use of humanism.

  • formal

    liberal arts tradition

    Fits when broad education in language, history, and culture is the focus

    Careful The liberal arts extend beyond humanism and have changed across institutions and periods.

Opposites 4

  • anti-humanism
  • misanthropy
  • dehumanization
  • scholasticism

Common phrases 4

  • secular humanism

    Secular humanism is one branch within a wider history of humanist thought.

  • Renaissance humanism

    Renaissance humanism renewed intensive study of classical rhetoric.

  • humanist tradition

    The humanist tradition includes internal disagreement about religion and nature.

  • principles of humanism

    The statement links its principles of humanism to universal dignity and free inquiry.

Usage notes

Keep in mind

Humanism names several religious, secular, ethical, and historical traditions; specify which one, and do not assume that human-centered means indifferent to nonhuman life.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated