Humanism is a philosophical current that has had a great influence on both psychology and politics and the social sciences in general. However, It does not exist as something homogeneous, but there are different types of humanism
Each of these types of humanism expresses, in its own way, the fundamental idea of this way of thinking: that the lives of all human beings matter and that, by default, we must respect the lives of others without attempting to alter them unjustifiably or without taking into account your opinion. Let’s see how they do it.
Humanism is a way of thinking that emphasizes the value of each person’s subjective and private experiences Thus, for example, Humanistic Psychology takes many influences from phenomenology (the sensations and private and conscious experiences of each person are valuable and unique) and existentialism (each person constructs a life story that gives meaning to their existence).
In practice, in psychology humanism has been noted in therapeutic proposals such as Fritz Perls’ Gestalt Therapy and the contributions of psychologists such as Abraham Maslow or Carl Rogers. This group of thinkers defended the idea of not imposing a rigid system of intervention on people, but rather adapting to each case, letting the person take control of the sessions.
The main types of humanism
These are the fundamental characteristics of the different types of humanism. To fully understand them, however, we must keep in mind that each of them has arisen in a different historical context and they cannot be understood without understanding the degree of technological, philosophical and ethical development that existed at the time of their appearance.
This type of humanism bases all his morality on the existence of a god determined that reveals what is good and what is bad and, consequently, how human beings should be treated.
2. Historical humanism
This was a type of humanism born in Florence at the end of the Middle Ages. In him, the arts and intellectual activity gradually focused on the human, no longer considering that the divine was the center of everything.
3. Anthropocentric humanism
This type of humanism was what began to characterize Western societies from the Renaissance and, especially, from the time of the Enlightenment.
Here, the figure of God stops being the center of the moral system, and the human being takes center stage So much attention is no longer paid to the code of conduct written in sacred texts and new forms of humanist ethics are formulated.
Likewise, the idea that one human being can control another is rejected; What can be controlled and subjugated is nature, seen as a set of resources that can be used for the well-being of the species.
4. Empirical humanism
This is one of the types of humanisms that try to differentiate themselves from the rest by being more practical and applied. While other forms of this school of thought are based more on abstract ideas, such as the need not to dominate other human beings, this focuses on the rejection or acceptance of certain actions or specific attitudes
For example, empirical humanism rejects violence, declares total freedom of expression and belief, and emphasizes the need to highlight the ways of living life typical of minorities.
This form of humanism highlights the importance of rejecting material and intellectual totalitarianisms that force people to be recruited for a specific cause, preventing them from thinking beyond it.
For existentialist philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, it is the individual who must construct meaning for his or her own life without others interfering in this system of ideas and symbols.
6. Marxist humanism
Strongly based on the philosophy of the philosopher Karl Marx, this type of humanism that emerged after World War II emphasizes the idea that human beings is a social being whose identity only emerges from interaction with others allowed thanks to the bonds of solidarity present in well-cohesive and united societies.
This philosophy rejects the individualism of a good part of the other types of humanism, and points out that the well-being of the individual depends on collective phenomena in which everyone must participate so as not to be manipulated.
7. Universalist humanism
It is a way of thinking greatly influenced by postmodern philosophy It points out the need to create inclusive societies for all people, respect the different cultures that are present in society and not be guided only by rigid codes of conduct, but quite the opposite: appreciate spontaneity and creativity in all aspects of life. .
