Definition

1. Noun:
   • The belief that human beings are the central or most significant entities in the world: A philosophical viewpoint that interprets reality and assesses value primarily through a human lens, often prioritizing human needs, experiences, and interests above all else.
   • The practice of regarding humans as the central fact of the universe: The tendency to view and judge everything in relation to human values and perspectives.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The critique of the novel focused on its underlying anthropocentrism, which ignored the intrinsic value of the natural world.
  • Environmental ethics often challenges anthropocentrism by arguing for the moral consideration of non-human animals and ecosystems.

Advanced Usage

• "Ethical anthropocentrism": A specific form that grounds moral consideration solely in human interests or characteristics.
  • The debate contrasted ethical anthropocentrism with biocentric theories of value.
• "To challenge/overcome anthropocentrism": A common phrase in philosophical and ecological discourse.
  • Many deep ecologists seek to overcome anthropocentrism to foster a more harmonious relationship with the planet.

Variants and Related Words

• Anthropocentric (adj): Pertaining to or characterized by anthropocentrism.
  • That policy is based on an anthropocentric worldview.
• Anthropocentricity (n): Another term for anthropocentrism; the quality of being anthropocentric.

Synonyms

• Human-centeredness: The quality of being focused on humans.
• Human chauvinism: A term sometimes used critically to imply an unjustified bias in favor of humans.

Related Terms and Concepts

• Speciesism: A concept often discussed alongside anthropocentrism, denoting discrimination based on species membership, typically favoring humans over other animals.
• Biocentrism: An ethical viewpoint opposite to anthropocentrism, which considers all living things as having intrinsic value.
• Ecocentrism: A perspective that places intrinsic value on entire ecosystems, including abiotic components, not just individual life forms.

Noun

1. an inclination to evaluate reality exclusively in terms of human values