What does humanist mean?
A humanist is someone who places human dignity, reason, education, and ethical inquiry at the center of life. In modern usage, humanists often describe their outlook as independent of religious authority, emphasizing the ability of people to reason about moral questions and shape their own lives. The term also has an important historical meaning: during the Renaissance, humanists were scholars who studied ancient Greek and Roman literature, history, philosophy, and rhetoric, encouraging humane education and wider intellectual inquiry. Their work contributed to developments in grammar, rhetoric, history, and political thought that shaped European education. Today, “humanist” remains associated with secular ethics, cultural understanding, open-minded inquiry, and concern for the common good. The word is also sometimes used to stress a person's concern for human welfare, although this use can overlap with “humanitarian.”
A person who emphasizes human dignity, reason, education, and ethical values, often independently of religious authority; historically, a scholar of classical texts and Renaissance humanist ideas.
"The forum brought together writers, educators, and humanists to discuss the ethical use of artificial intelligence."
The contemporary sense is common in secular, educational, and ethical contexts, while the historical sense usually denotes a scholar of Renaissance humanism.
Relating to humanism or to people who uphold humanist principles.
"The centre promotes humanist scholarship across the arts and sciences."
This attributive use is less common than the noun and most often occurs in expressions such as “humanist scholarship” and “humanist values.”
The regular plural is “humanists,” referring either to modern advocates of humanism or to historical scholars of Renaissance humanism.
"Teachers and humanists debated the role of classical literature in a modern curriculum."
The Renaissance humanists helped turn the study of classical texts into a movement centered on human dignity, education, and the life of the individual.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does humanist come from?
The word comes through French humaniste from Latin humanista, a form derived from humanitas, meaning “human nature,” “humanity,” or “kindness.” Humanitas itself was associated with the humane cultivation of a person through education, literature, and social conduct. During the Renaissance, the term was applied especially to scholars who studied classical texts, and its modern sense developed from that tradition of human-centered learning and secular inquiry.
Related word forms
How humanist is actually used
The modern sense is especially common among people who describe their outlook as secular and emphasize reason, ethical responsibility, and human dignity. The historical sense usually refers to participants in Renaissance humanism, and the term can sometimes suggest opposition to religious authority or excessive concentration on material interests.
Easily confused with humanist
A humanist focuses on human values, reason, and dignity, whereas a humanitarian primarily promotes relief from suffering and the welfare of others.
A humanist is a person who follows humanist principles, while humanism is the philosophy or intellectual tradition itself.