Humanism is a philosophical position that stresses the individual and societal potential as well as the agency of human beings. It is defined as follows: This school of thought regards human beings as the beginning point for any serious moral and philosophical investigation.
The definition of the word "humanism" has evolved through time in response to the many philosophical groups that have associated themselves with it over time. Generally speaking, the word refers to an emphasis on human well-being and advocates for human freedom, autonomy, and development, among other things. In this perspective, humanity bears primary responsibility for the promotion and development of people, affirms the equal and inherent dignity of all human beings, and places a strong emphasis on the well-being of humans in their relationship with the rest of the world
Historically, humanist groups have been non-religious and associated with secularism from the beginning of the twentieth century. By August 2021, the term "humanism" may refer to a nontheistic worldview that is focused on human action and relies on science and reason to explain the world rather than revelation from a supernatural source. Humanists tend to be proponents of human rights, freedom of expression, progressive policies, and democratic institutions. They argue that religion is not a prerequisite for morality and that religious participation in education and the governmental machinery is inappropriate and unconstitutional. Accord to humanists, humans are capable of determining their own values and leading decent and meaningful lives.