anthropocentrism
|an-thro-po-cen-tris-m|
/ˌænθrəpəˈsɛntrɪzəm/
human-centeredness
Etymology
'anthropocentrism' originates from Greek elements: 'anthropo-' from Greek 'ánthrōpos' meaning 'human', and a sense of 'centr-' from Greek 'kéntron' meaning 'center', combined in modern English via the suffix '-ism' (formation meaning a doctrine or system).
'anthropocentrism' developed from the adjective 'anthropocentric' (formed from 'anthropo-' + 'centric') with the noun-forming suffix '-ism'; the Greek 'ánthrōpos' passed into Late Latin and various medieval forms before entering modern English scientific and philosophical vocabulary in the 19th–20th centuries.
Initially the components simply denoted 'human' + 'center', and the compounded term denoted a human-centered viewpoint; over time the word acquired a specialized philosophical and often critical sense in environmental and ethical discussions, frequently used to criticize privileging humans over nature.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the belief or viewpoint that humans are the central or most significant entities in the world or universe.
Anthropocentrism often leads societies to prioritize human needs over environmental concerns.
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Noun 2
in ethics and environmental philosophy, an attitude or doctrine that assigns intrinsic value primarily or exclusively to human beings, often justifying the instrumental use of non-human nature.
Critics of anthropocentrism argue that it underpins exploitative environmental policies.
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Last updated: 2025/08/25 18:23