Humanities vs. Humanism — What's the Difference?

Humanities are academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. In the Renaissance, the term contrasted with divinity and referred to what is now called classics, the main area of secular study in universities at the time.

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.

Humans considered as a group; the human race.

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

The condition or quality of being human.

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.

The quality of being humane; benevolence.

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

A humane characteristic, attribute, or act.

Secular humanism.

The languages and literatures of ancient Greece and Rome; the classics.

Concern with the interests, needs, and welfare of humans

Those branches of knowledge, such as philosophy, literature, and art, that are concerned with human thought and culture.

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

Plural of humanity

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.

(obsolete) classical studies: the study of Ancient Greek and Latin, their literature, etc.

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.

The study of language, literature, the arts, history, and philosophy, sometimes including religion.

Humanitarianism, philanthropy.

Studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills);

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