Author: Ms. Sonpreet Kaur, Dr. Mahesh Arora

Abstract: This paper looks at the change from humanism to posthumanism and asks a basic but important question: What does it mean to be human today? In literature and culture, this change shows that we can no longer think of human life as separate or complete on its own. Our lives are deeply connected with technology, nature, and other living beings. Traditional humanism focused on Renaissance ideas, motives, freedom, logic, and commitment. It a gives central position to human beings (anthropocentrism) for meaning. Humanism helped to save human worth and liberty, but it also inspired the faith that humans are more important than animals, nature, and the environment. Posthumanism crosses these limits. It focuses upon science, technology, feminism, and questions the faith that humans are the central point of everything. Humanism sees a fixed meaning of identity, but its opposite, posthumanism sees a changing meaning of identity and relationships. This new way of thinking inspired human beings to think about ethics, individuality, freedom, and power in a world that is influenced by technology and environmental problems. Posthumanism is more hopeful and helpful in connecting humans and nonhuman things. In the 21th century, we can say that humans and nonhuman things can live together in the future.

Keywords: Humanism, Anthropocentrism, Posthumanism, Literary Studies, Interdependence

Article Info: Received: 15 Feb 2026; Received in revised form: 13 Mar 2026; Accepted: 17 Mar 2026; Available online: 22 Mar 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.112.33