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Avid learner Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Humanity or humanness

Hi,

A great part of what makes us morally or philosophically human will be lost the day man abandons God.


Should I use the word humanity or humanness to explain "what makes us morally or philosophically human"?

Thanks, A.L.
  

Top answer

Hi, It's hard to comment without seeing the sentence you want to use the word in. Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, It's hard to comment without seeing the sentence you want to use the word in.
  • Clive
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10 Answers
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Hi,

It's hard to comment without seeing the sentence you want to use the word in.

Clive
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1. A great part of humanity will be lost the day man abandons ***
2. A great part of humanness will be lost the day man abandons ***.

I think humanity means what makes us morally or philosophically human while humanness means what makes us physically human. Is my understanding correct?
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Hi,

These are difficult words to define. I wouldn't say that 'humanness' relates only to physical aspects. It can also refer to the characteristics that make us human.

I suggest you make your sentence more explicit by adding a few examples of the kind of things that will be lost.
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1. Some traits of humanity such as altruism, familial love, and self-restraint will be lost the day man abandons ***.
2. Some traits of humanness such as altruism, familial love, and self-restraint will be lost the day man abandons ***.
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Hi,

Of the 2, I prefer #2.

But consider
Some human traits such as . . .

Clive
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CliveOf the 2, I prefer #2.
Why?
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Hi,

It seems to sound a bit less abstract.

Clive
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So, basically #1 is not lexically wrong?
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Of course, I agree it. I also prefer to use in same sense and understand in the same.

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