What is the Difference Between Human and Humane?

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The main difference between "human" and "humane" lies in their meanings and usage:

  • Human:
  • This term refers to things related to people or mankind, such as the human body or human civilization.
  • As an adjective, it describes characteristics of humanity or attributes that belong to humans, whether good or bad.
  • Examples of "human" in sentences include: "I believe that every human feels pleasure in doing good to another" (Thomas Jefferson) and "To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer" (Paul R Ehrlich).
  • Humane:
  • This term is an adjective that describes actions or qualities that are merciful, compassionate, and kind, as opposed to violent or cruel.
  • It highlights the best attributes of humans, such as mercy, benevolence, and sympathy.
  • Examples of "humane" in sentences include: "This inhuman world has to become more humane" (Friedrich Durrenmatt) and "In my view, there is no such thing as humane meat" (Ingrid Newkirk).

In summary, "human" refers to things related to people or mankind, while "humane" describes actions or qualities that are compassionate and kind.

Comparative Table: Human vs Humane

Here is a table illustrating the difference between "human" and "humane":

Term Meaning Usage Context
Human Related to or characteristic of human beings Describing attributes, behaviors, and qualities of humans Human nature, society, characteristics
Humane Displaying compassion and kindness towards other living beings Referring to compassionate and considerate actions or behavior Compassion, kindness, and consideration toward living beings
  • "Human" is a noun meaning "person" and an adjective describing things related to people, such as the human body, human civilization, etc..
  • "Humane" is an adjective that means compassionate, kind, and sympathetic, often used to describe actions that are merciful and kind instead of violent and cruel.