Humanism
/ˈhjuː.mə.nɪ.zəm/noun
A system of thought that emphasizes human values, agency, and reason, especially one centered on human interests rather than religious doctrine.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin humanus, which is tied to the ancient idea of being civilized, cultivated, and properly human — a status that once carried moral and social weight, not just philosophy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dhghem-
“earth, soil”
Latin
Latin
humus
“ground, earth”
Latin
Latin
humanus
“human, humane; belonging to mankind”
14th Century
English
humane
“having the qualities proper to a human being; cultivated, civil”
16th Century
English
humanist
“a scholar devoted to the studia humanitatis, the humanities”
19th Century
English
humanism
“a system of thought centered on human values and concerns”