Anthropism

Anthropism is a term used in philosophy and ethics to denote a human-centered orientation in belief, value, and inquiry. The word derives from Greek anthropos, meaning “human.” Because the term has been used in varying ways, its precise meaning is not strictly standardized and may overlap with related concepts such as anthropocentrism and humanism.

In many discussions, anthropism is treated as synonymous with anthropocentrism: the view that human beings and human welfare are central or most important in moral consideration and in the evaluation of actions and policies. In other contexts, anthropism emphasizes the primacy of human meaning, culture, and interpretation in shaping how people understand nature, society, and the universe.

Anthropism is distinct from anthropomorphism, which refers to attributing human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. It is also related to humanism, though humanism often carries broader cultural or secular implications beyond the specifics of centrality in value.

Historical usage of anthropism appears in various philosophical and religious debates, often in contrast to ecocentric or biocentric views that assign intrinsic value to non-human beings and ecosystems. Critics of anthropistic or anthropocentric positions argue that such stances can overlook non-human interests and ecological interdependencies, while proponents contend that human well-being and meaning deserve central consideration in ethical and practical reasoning.

See also: anthropocentrism, humanism, ecocentrism, anthropomorphism, speciesism.