Humanism is a philosophy that originated in the Renaissance which emphasizes reason, science, human dignity and agency over religious dogma or supernatural explanations. There are several types of humanism including secular, Christian, cultural and modern humanism. Humanism had its roots in ancient Greece and Rome and was a reaction against the dominance of the Church during the Middle Ages, seeking to revive interest in ancient thought. It views humans as rational beings capable of determining truth through reason and experience rather than religious principles.

1. Humanism
Introduction to the Topic:
• Humanism was a Renaissance cultural movement
which revived interest in ancient Greek and
Roman thought.
• What is Humanism:
It is a rationalist outlook or system of thought
attaching prime importance to human rather than
divine or supernatural matters.

2. Humanism
Types of Humanism:
I) Secular humanism is a philosophy that rejects
religious dogma, supernaturalism, and superstition as
the basis of morality and decision making. It is also
called as renaissance Humanism.
II) Christian Humanism is defined as “a
philosophy advocating the self fulfillment of man
within the framework of Christian principles.”
This thought was the reaction of Secular
Humanism

3. Humanism
III) Cultural Humanism.
The label of Cultural Humanism is used to refer
to cultural traditions which, originating in ancient Greece
and Rome, evolved through European history and have
come to be a fundamental basis of Western culture.
Aspects of this tradition include law, literature,
philosophy, politics, science, and more.
IV) Modern or Natural Humanism:
It is a naturalistic philosophy that rejects all
supernaturalism and relies primarily upon reason and
science, democracy and human compassion.

4. Humanism
 History of Humanism:
 Renaissance was the revivalist movement of European
societies from darkness from late 15th century to the
17th century.
 During this movement the impact of Church on the
on the European societies decreased and hence, the
scientists and other learned class started thinking in
other ways.
 Many movements started during this phase including
‘Humanism’.
 However , the roots of this thought goes back to the
ancient India, Greeks and Roman empire.

5. Humanism
Criticism:
Many philosophers and writers have criticized
this approach such as :
 T. S. Eliot considered humanism to be sentimental
and not based realities of life.
 Postmodern critics such as Michel Foucault, have
asserted that humanism posits an overarching and
excessively abstract notion of humanity.
 A few of present day critics say that decisions about
right and wrong must be based on the individual and
common good, with no consideration given to
metaphysical or supernatural beings.

6. Humanism
Humanistic Psychology:
• This approach emphasizes an individual's
inherent drive towards self-actualization and
creativity.
• It rose to prominence in the mid-20th century in
response to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic
theory.
• Humanistic Psychology is a direct result of the
Humanistic Approach.

7. Humanism
Conclusion:
 Development of Humanism was the result of dark age’s
views of Church. The world view presented by the
Christianity and Judaism were dominated during dark
ages.
 The spread of knowledge and enlightenment was the
root cause of such thoughts.
 This humanistic approach got a modernized shape
with the passage of time.