Anthropocentrism

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Anthropocentrism (Greek άνθρωπος, anthropos, "man, human being", κέντρον, kentron, "center") is the idea that human beings are the central element of the universe, and that all things should be judged in their relationship to human experience and livelihood. According to anthropocentrism, anthropos (the term, like “human”, refers to both men and women) must be considered, looked after and cared for, above all other real or imaginary beings.

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Anthropocentrism in environmentalism

Anthropocentrism is essentially the belief that the world around a person is only important as far as it benefits or hurts that person. Applied to environmental issues, anthropocentrism is basically the position that environmental disasters, other life forms, and ecosystems (among other things) are only important as much as they affect people.

Anthropocentrism in Christianity

Some evangelical Christians have also been critical, viewing a human-centered worldview, rather than a Christ-centered or God-centered worldview, as a core societal problem. According to this viewpoint, a fallen humanity placing its own desires ahead of the teachings of Christ leads to rampant selfishness and behavior viewed as sinful.

Biocentrism

Biocentrism (the belief that all life, or even the whole universe living or otherwise taken as a whole, is equally valid and humanity is not the center of existence) has been proposed as an antonym of anthropocentrism.

See also

es:Antropocentrismo fr:Anthropocentrisme it:Antropocentrismo no:Antroposentrisme pl:Antropocentryzm ru:Антропоцентризм sl:Antropocentrizem fi:Antroposentrismi