anthropocentricity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Academic/Technical)Formal, academic, philosophical
Quick answer
What does “anthropocentricity” mean?
The belief that human beings are the central or most significant entities in the universe, or the practice of interpreting reality exclusively in terms of human values and experience.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The belief that human beings are the central or most significant entities in the universe, or the practice of interpreting reality exclusively in terms of human values and experience.
A philosophical viewpoint or cultural tendency that places humanity at the center of consideration, often at the expense of other species or ecological perspectives.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British academic writing on theology and philosophy; in American English, it appears more often in environmental studies critiques.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpuses. The shorter form 'anthropocentrism' is far more common.
Grammar
How to Use “anthropocentricity” in a Sentence
The anthropocentricity of [NP]anthropocentricity in [NP]to move beyond anthropocentricityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anthropocentricity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The anthropocentric worldview is increasingly challenged.
American English
- The anthropocentric viewpoint often ignores animal sentience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in philosophy, environmental ethics, theology, and cultural criticism to describe a worldview.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound highly technical.
Technical
Used in ecological and ethical discussions to label a specific philosophical position.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anthropocentricity”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anthropocentricity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anthropocentricity”
- Misspelling as 'antropocentricity' (missing 'h').
- Confusing it with 'anthropomorphism'.
- Using it in informal contexts where 'human-centered' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are synonyms. 'Anthropocentrism' is significantly more common. 'Anthropocentricity' is a less frequent variant, often used for stylistic variation.
It is typically neutral in definition but is most often used in a critical sense, especially in ecological and postmodern discourses, to highlight a flawed or limited perspective.
Yes, metaphorically. One can speak of the 'anthropocentricity' of an AI design that prioritizes human-like interaction and human values above all other considerations.
The most direct opposite is 'ecocentrism' or 'biocentrism,' which places the entire ecosystem or all living things at the center of moral consideration, not just humans.
The belief that human beings are the central or most significant entities in the universe, or the practice of interpreting reality exclusively in terms of human values and experience.
Anthropocentricity is usually formal, academic, philosophical in register.
Anthropocentricity: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.θrə.pəʊˈsen.trɪ.sɪ.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.θrə.poʊˈsen.trɪ.sə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTHROPO (human) + CENTRICITY (being at the center). 'The centrality of anthropos (humans).'
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMANITY IS THE CENTER (of the moral/universe).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'anthropocentricity' MOST likely to be used?