The Humanism reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Humanism

Humanism or Renaissance humanism is the cultural movement in Europe during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, that revived the language (in particular the Greek language), science, and poetry of classical antiquity (mainly Ancient Greece).

To a certain extent, this could include an orientation toward antique value systems and deviation from the prevailing Christian doctrine. From this comes the second meaning of the word. There is also Christian humanism and Unitarian Universalism.

A person primarily studying languages related to classical antiquity, such as Greek or Latin, and the art, literature and poetry of this epoch may sometimes be called a humanist and the main area of concern for these people is then referred to as humanities.

Table of contents
1 Humanism -- the humanist ethos
2 Humanism -- confused terminology
3 List of humanists
4 External links

Humanism -- the humanist ethos

Humanism is an ethos, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values, stressing an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason and other human skills. It usually rejects supernaturalism, but some religious people consider themselves humanists.

See also: rationalist, Universalism, universism, secular humanism, religious (spiritual) humanism, New Humanism, transhumanism, humanistic psychology

Humanism -- confused terminology

The writings of Pre-Socratic philosophers were lost to obscurity until Renaissance scholars rediscovered and translated them into modern language. Thus the term "humanist" can mean humanities scholar (who may be hostile to Secular Humanism and the The Enlightenment), Renaissance intellectuals, and those who have agreement with the Pre-Socratics. To make matters worse, some use the term as a synonym for "humanitarian".

List of humanists

External links