Human vs. Humanity — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
Human refers to an individual of the species Homo sapiens, whereas humanity encompasses the collective qualities, behaviors, and attributes of the human species.
Difference Between Human and Humanity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A human is an individual belonging to the species Homo sapiens, characterized by traits like bipedalism and advanced cognitive abilities. Humanity, on the other hand, refers to the qualities and characteristics that are typical of or associated with these humans, such as compassion, culture, and societal norms.
While a human acts as a single organism capable of independent thought and action, humanity embodies the collective human spirit, morals, and ethics that define and connect the species as a whole.
Humans are diverse, with variations in physical appearance, personality, and beliefs shaped by genetics and environment. Humanity collectively expresses shared experiences and universal emotions that transcend individual differences.
The concept of a human emphasizes biological and physical aspects, such as anatomy and genetics. In contrast, humanity is often discussed in philosophical or ethical contexts, highlighting abstract concepts like justice, empathy, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Understanding humans is often a study of biology and psychology, focusing on individual development and behavior. Studying humanity involves examining cultural, social, and historical contexts to understand human behavior collectively.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An individual of Homo sapiens
The collective qualities of humans
Focus
Biological and physical traits
Ethical, moral, and social values
Study
Individual behavior and anatomy
Collective human behaviors and ethics
Key Characteristics
Genetics, health, personality
Compassion, culture, societal norms
Context
Often scientific or personal
Philosophical, cultural, and social
Compare with Definitions
Human
Being characterized by advanced cognitive abilities.
Humans can solve complex problems.
Humanity
The quality of being humane; kindness.
Acts of charity are considered signs of humanity.
Human
Social beings requiring interaction.
Humans thrive in communal settings.
Humanity
The quality of being human;
He feared the speedy decline of all manhood
Human
Homo sapiens individual.
Each human has a unique fingerprint.
Humanity
The characteristics common to human beings.
Humanity is known for both its cruelty and compassion.
Human
Capable of complex emotional responses.
Humans often feel a wide range of emotions.
Humanity
The totality of human beings.
Disasters can bring out the best in humanity.
Human
Subject to cultural influences.
Humans are shaped by the cultures they grow up in.
Humanity
Human culture and history as a whole.
Ancient artifacts tell the story of humanity.
Human
Humans (Homo sapiens) are the most abundant and widespread species of primates, characterized by bipedality and large, complex brains enabling the development of advanced tools, culture and language. Humans are highly social beings and tend to live in complex social structures composed of many cooperating and competing groups, from families and kinship networks to political states.
Humanity
Humans considered as a group; the human race.
Human
Relating to or characteristic of humankind
The human body
The complex nature of the human mind
Humanity
The condition or quality of being human.
Human
A human being.
Humanity
The quality of being humane; benevolence.
Human
A member of the primate genus Homo, especially a member of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished from other apes by a large brain and the capacity for speech.
Humanity
A humane characteristic, attribute, or act.
Human
A person
The extraordinary humans who explored Antarctica.
Humanity
The languages and literatures of ancient Greece and Rome; the classics.
Human
Of, relating to, or characteristic of humans
The course of human events.
The human race.
Humanity
Those branches of knowledge, such as philosophy, literature, and art, that are concerned with human thought and culture.
Human
Having or showing those positive aspects of nature and character regarded as distinguishing humans from other animals
An act of human kindness.
Humanity
; human beings as a group.
Human
Subject to or indicative of the weaknesses, imperfections, and fragility associated with humans
A mistake that shows he's only human.
Human frailty.
Humanity
The human condition or nature.
Human
Having the form of a human.
Humanity
The quality of being benevolent; humane traits of character; humane qualities or aspects.
Human
Made up of humans
Formed a human bridge across the ice.
Humanity
Any academic subject belonging to the humanities.
Philosophy is a humanity while psychology is a science.
Human
(notcomp) Of or belonging to the species Homo sapiens or its closest relatives.
Humanity
The quality of being human; the peculiar nature of man, by which he is distinguished from other beings.
Human
(comparable) Having the nature or attributes of a human being.
To err is human; to forgive, divine.
Humanity
Mankind collectively; the human race.
But hearing oftentimesThe still, and music humanity.
It is a debt we owe to humanity.
Human
(narrowly) The tallest, most abundant and most intelligent of primates; Homo sapiens.
Humans share common ancestors with other apes.
Humanity
The quality of being humane; the kind feelings, dispositions, and sympathies of man; especially, a disposition to relieve persons or animals in distress, and to treat all creatures with kindness and tenderness.
Human
(broadly) Any hominid of the genus Homo.
Humanity
Mental cultivation; liberal education; instruction in classical and polite literature.
Polished with humanity and the study of witty science.
Human
(rare) To behave as or become, or to cause to behave as or become, a human.
Humanity
The branches of polite or elegant learning; as language, rhetoric, poetry, and the ancient classics; belles-letters.
Human
Belonging to man or mankind; having the qualities or attributes of a man; of or pertaining to man or to the race of man; as, a human voice; human shape; human nature; human sacrifices.
To err is human; to forgive, divine.
Humanity
All of the inhabitants of the earth;
All the world loves a lover
She always used `humankind' because `mankind' seemed to slight the women
Human
A human being.
Sprung of humans that inhabit earth.
We humans often find ourselves in strange position.
Humanity
The quality of being humane
Human
A human being;
There was too much for one person to do
Human
Any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae
Human
Characteristic of humanity;
Human nature
Human
Relating to a person;
The experiment was conducted on 6 monkeys and 2 human subjects
Human
Having human form or attributes as opposed to those of animals or divine beings;
Human beings
The human body
Human kindness
Human frailty
Common Curiosities
What defines a human?
A human is defined as an individual belonging to the species Homo sapiens, known for their complex brain and upright walk.
How does humanity manifest in society?
Humanity is evident in expressions of empathy, societal laws, cultural practices, and the collective pursuit of knowledge.
Can humanity change over time?
Yes, the aspects of humanity such as moral values and societal norms can evolve with cultural shifts and historical events.
What is meant by humanity?
Humanity refers to the collective characteristics and qualities that define human beings, including moral, cultural, and social attributes.
Are humans always humane?
Not necessarily; while humans have the capacity for kindness and compassion, they can also exhibit cruelty and indifference.
Is humanity inherent in all humans?
While all humans possess the biological capacity for traits like empathy, the expression of humanity can vary widely across individuals and cultures.
How do humans contribute to humanity?
Individuals contribute to humanity through their actions, ideas, and interactions that uphold or challenge the collective human condition.
How are humans different from other animals?
Humans are distinguished by their advanced cognitive abilities, such as reasoning, problem-solving, and the capacity for complex language.
What impacts human behavior the most?
Human behavior is influenced by a combination of genetic factors and environmental conditions, including upbringing and culture.
What challenges humanity today?
Major challenges include social inequality, environmental issues, and global health crises, which test the resilience and ethics of humanity.
Is technology part of humanity?
Yes, as a creation of humans, technology reflects and influences the collective capabilities and trends of humanity.
How do cultural differences affect perceptions of humanity?
Cultural differences can shape diverse interpretations and expressions of what constitutes humanity, affecting everything from justice to community support.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
