Inhimillistäminen

Inhimillistäminen is a Finnish term that can be translated as humanization or the act of making something more humane. It denotes processes by which people, institutions, practices or objects are described, organized or treated in ways that recognize and respect human dignity, needs and vulnerabilities. The concept appears across disciplines including ethics, social policy, healthcare, criminal justice, design and the arts.

In social and political contexts inhimillistäminen often refers to reforms or rhetorical strategies that reduce harm, increase empathy and restore rights or humane conditions for marginalized groups. In healthcare and social work it describes patient-centered approaches that emphasize autonomy, dignity and holistic care. In organizational and industrial design it implies creating environments, products or services that consider human capacities and well-being.

The word also overlaps with anthropomorphism when applied to animals, machines or abstract entities: attributing human characteristics can make them more relatable but may also mislead. As a normative ideal, inhimillistäminen is generally presented positively, yet critics warn of instrumentalizing the concept—superficial gestures that mask persistent inequalities—or of diminishing accountability by framing systemic problems solely in interpersonal terms. Related concepts include humanization, dignification and person-centered care; the opposite process is often described as dehumanization.