ensaniyat

Ensaniyat, also transliterated as insaniyyat or insanîyat, is a term used in several languages of the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia to signify both the concept of humanity and the field commonly referred to in English as the humanities. The word derives from Arabic al-insaniyyat, meaning human nature or humanity, and in many Turkic and regional linguistic traditions it has come to denote humanistic studies and the social sciences within education and cultural discourse.

As a concept, ensaniyat encompasses human dignity, ethical concern for others, and the moral dimensions of social life. It is used in philosophical and political writings to discuss human welfare, rights, and social responsibility, reflecting a focus on human-centered values in society and culture.

As an academic term, ensaniyat often corresponds to the humanities or the humanities and social sciences division within universities. Departments or faculties named Ensaniyyat may house disciplines such as philosophy, history, literature, linguistics, sociology, anthropology, religious studies, and cultural studies, with specific offerings varying by country and institution.

Usage varies by language and region. In some contexts ensaniyat emphasizes ethical and human-centered approaches to knowledge, while in others it functions as a direct translation for the standard concept of humanities.

In summary, ensaniyat functions as both a broad cultural idea about humanity and a technical label for the humanities and related social sciences in several linguistic and regional contexts.