Humanism

Humanism is a system of beliefs that concentrates on common human needs and seeks rational ways of solving human problems. Humanism is 19 century term for the values, practices, and ideals of the European Renaissance of the 14 and 15 centuries and its revival of the Greek and Roman Classics.

It was an intellectual and cultural movement that brought about changes mainly in medieval (Christian) perspective on the nature of life. It emphasizes human potentialities, experiences, and creativity. After the concept of humanism, a new faith in the power of learning, desire to expand the horizons of knowledge, a belief on human potentialities and an interest in ascertaining the position of mankind in nature, appeared. People began to believe that life on Earth could be under their control.

Rationalism is an adequate source of knowledge rather than religious revelations. The humanism of the Renaissance gave birth to science, liberalism, freedom, self-determination and social sciences. Human reasoning can solve human affairs to improve socio-cultural situations of human life. Humanism and anthropology are closely related to each other. Anthropology is a humanistic pursuit with a heritage of rationality, liberalism, and advocacy. Many humanists are anthropologists. Anthropology as a discipline is to be understood as the most scientific of the humanities and the most humanistic of the sciences, according to Eric Wolf. Humanism released anthropology from philosophical dogmas. It made it empirical and scientific.

The characteristics of Humanism:

-          Humans have experience.

-          Human experiences are sources of knowledge.

-          Consciousness is the base of scientific reasoning.

-          Nothing exists beyond human consciousness.

-          Doubt makes the gained knowledge change.

-          Humanity cannot reach to eternal truth and knowledge.

-          Knowledge is uncertain and deep. We can go into the depth of it.

-          Existing knowledge is the source to get new knowledge.

-          Creativity and cultivation is the basis of new inventions in new knowledge.

-          Knowledge should be sharable and it should be done in the form of language and arts.