Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

humanist

noun

/ˈhjuː.mən.ɪst/

Definition

A person who advocates for the study and promotion of human values and concerns, emphasizing the importance of human rights, dignity, and capacity for self-realization.

Examples

As a humanist, she values rational thought and empirical evidence over religious doctrine.
The humanists of the Renaissance laid the groundwork for modern science and philosophy.
His humanist beliefs motivated him to work towards social justice and education for all.

Meaning

The term refers to someone who believes in the importance of human agency and experience, often in opposition to religious or supernatural explanations of human existence.