Humanism vs. Humanitarianism — What's the Difference?

Humanism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the potential and agency of human beings, individually and socially. It considers human beings as the starting point for serious moral and philosophical inquiry.

Humanitarianism is an active belief in the value of human life, whereby humans practice benevolent treatment and provide assistance to other humans, in order to improve the conditions of humanity for moral, altruistic and logical reasons. Humanitarianism is today primarily understood as voluntary emergency aid in a transnational context, but it overlaps with human rights advocacy, actions taken by governments, development assistance, and domestic philanthropy.

A system of thought that focuses on humans and their values, capacities, and worth.

One who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms.

Humanism A cultural and intellectual movement of the Renaissance that emphasized human potential to attain excellence and promoted direct study of the literature, art, and civilization of classical Greece and Rome.

Showing concern for the welfare of humanity, especially in acting to improve the living conditions of impoverished people.

The study of the humanities; learning in the liberal arts.

Being a situation in which many human lives are in danger of harm or death

Secular humanism.

A humanitarian philosophy or practice.

Concern with the interests, needs, and welfare of humans

The distinctive tenet of the humanitarians in denying the divinity of Christ; also, the whole system of doctrine based upon this view of Christ.

The study of the humanities or the liberal arts; literary (especially classical) scholarship.

The doctrine that man's obligations are limited to, and dependent alone upon, man and the human relations.

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.

The doctrine that people's duty is to promote human welfare

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.

Humanitarianism, philanthropy.

Human nature or disposition; humanity.

The study of the humanities; polite learning.

A doctrine or ethical point of view that emphasizes the dignity and worth of individual people, rejects claims of supernatural influences on humans, and stresses the need for people to achieve improvement of society and self-fulfillment through reason and to develop human-oriented ethical values without theism.

The doctrine that people's duty is to promote human welfare

The doctrine emphasizing a person's capacity for self-realization through reason; rejects religion and the supernatural

The cultural movement of the Renaissance; based on classical studies