humanism
UK /ˈhjuːmənɪz(ə)m/ · US /ˈhjumənɪz(ə)m/ noun
Forms humanisms
- noun The study of the humanities or the liberal arts; literary (especially classical) scholarship.
- noun (historical, often capitalized) Specifically, a cultural and intellectual movement in 14th-16th century Europe characterised by attention to classical culture and a promotion of vernacular texts, notably during the Renaissance.
- noun An ethical system that centers on humans and their values, needs, interests, abilities, dignity and freedom; especially used for a secular one which rejects theistic religion and superstition.
- noun Humanitarianism.
Synonyms
solidarity philanthropy generosity humanitarianism secular humanism
Etymology
From human + -ism, borrowed from German Humanismus, coined by Friedrich Immanuel Niethammer in 1808.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Human nature or disposition; humanity.
- noun The study of the humanities; polite learning.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “humanism”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details