Quandaries in Humanism: A Comparative Review of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Keywords:
social sciences, liberal arts, Quandaries, HumanismAbstract
The term “humanism” is widely used in, especially, the liberal arts and social sciences. Yet, it does not carry the same meaning in all contexts. The problem with the term is that sometimes it is used so confusingly or even contradictorily, that one finds it difficult determining the actual meaning of humanism. It is for this reason that a research that clarifies the meaning of humanism becomes very important. This article attempts such a clarification. It traces the origin and development of humanism (particularly, in Western philosophy where humanism as a philosophical movement originated), and shows why the implications of some definitions or conceptions of humanism are not only mistaken but also run counter to the true import of humanism. It argues, for instance, in support of the view that “religious humanism” is an oxymoron.
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