humanist

A humanist is a person who adheres to humanism, a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes human dignity, autonomy, and welfare. It generally prioritizes reason, empirical evidence, and critical thinking as guides to belief and action. While secular humanism explicitly rejects supernatural sources of authority, religious forms exist as well, often called religious humanism, which integrates humanist ethics with a religious tradition.

Origins and variants: Modern humanism emerged from Renaissance thought and the Enlightenment, when scholars stressed human-centered learning and social progress. In the 19th and 20th centuries, secular humanism developed as a non-theistic framework governing beliefs about morality and meaning. Religious and cultural varieties—Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, and other traditions—also incorporate humanist ethics, leading to a broad spectrum of humanist practice.

Belief and practice: Humanists typically advocate human rights, freedom of inquiry, and the use of science and public reason to address social problems. They often support secular, pluralistic societies, education, and charitable work. Organizations in many countries promote humanist activities, provide community in secular congregations, and perform nonreligious rites such as weddings and memorials.