Inhuman Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Psychology

• Inhuman traits can be associated with dehumanization, a process where individuals or groups are seen as less than human, which can lead to discrimination and violence.
• Studies show that people often use the term to describe extreme behaviors in warfare, such as torture, effectively removing personal responsibility from these acts.

Literature

• The concept of inhumanity has been explored in many literary works, showcasing characters who lack empathy, often highlighting the struggle between humanity and brutality.
• Franz Kafka’s works often depict inhuman situations where characters feel trapped in a world that lacks compassion.

Pop Culture

• Movies and television often feature inhuman characters, like zombies or villains, emphasizing their cruelty and lack of human traits.
• The term is frequently used in dystopian stories to depict societies where individuals are treated as less than human, leading to gripping narratives about survival and morality.

Science

• In discussions of artificial intelligence, systems may be described as inhuman if they make decisions lacking empathy, raising ethical concerns about technology's role in society.
• Biological studies examine animal behaviors that some consider inhuman when compared to human social structures, prompting questions about morality in the natural world.

Main points about word origin

• The word 'inhuman' comes from the prefix 'in-', which means 'not', and 'human', meaning 'like a person'.
• It first appeared in the English language in the late 14th century, describing behaviors considered cruel or lacking compassion.

The word 'inhuman' originated in the late 15th century from the Latin word 'inhumanus', which means 'inhuman, cruel'. It has been used to describe behavior or characteristics that are lacking in compassion or typical human qualities.

See also: dehumanise, dehumanising, dehumanization, dehumanize, dehumanizing, humanitarian, humanitarians, humanity, humanization, humanize, humanizing, humankind, humans, inhumanity, metahuman, subhuman, superhuman.

At position #13,885, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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