A. Bidar, History of Humanism in the West - Philosophy, Anthropology and Ideas

French Literature Reviews - 2026

A. Bidar, History of Humanism in the West
Philosophy, Anthropology and Ideas

Review published in Acta Fabula (May-June 2015, vol. 16, no. 5): “The Infinite Work of Humanism” by Colette Camelin.

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Abdennour Bidar, History of Humanism in the West

Paris: Armand Colin, coll. “Le temps des idées”, 2014.

EAN 9782200294465.

287 p.

Price 25EUR

Publisher's overview:

Humanism is humanity's passion for its own mystery, for its genius, its tragedy, and the wisdom it can attain. It is an exhortation to a universal fraternity of which man is capable, alongside a denunciation of the appalling evils for which he is sometimes responsible. It is a mix of wonder and bewilderment at man's boundless ambitions, which are perhaps, paradoxically, the only ones worthy of his scale.
Abdennour Bidar demonstrates here how the West has tirelessly dedicated itself to unraveling the human mystery. While certainly not holding a monopoly on humanism, the thinkers, artists, and prominent figures of this civilization have passed down the torch of questioning human identity, as well as the responsibility to foster a more humane humanity. Contrary to popular belief, the Renaissance was not the sole humanist moment in Western history, but rather one of its major centers among others: monotheistic religions, Greek and Roman Antiquity, and, much later, modernity born from the Enlightenment.
Where do we stand today in this long quest of man by man, and in this process of humanization that all humanism strives to make the meaning of history? Does the West still measure up to its great humanisms, and what form of humanism will be shareable tomorrow among all the world's civilizations?

Abdennour Bidar is a philosopher. A member of the editorial board of the journal Esprit, he has authored several essays on modern and contemporary developments in Islam, the philosophy of religion, and secularism.

Contents:

  • GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMANISM IN THE WEST
  • THE CENTER OF MONOTHEISTIC HUMANISM
  • THE CENTER OF ANCIENT HUMANISM
  • THE CENTER OF RENAISSANCE HUMANISM
  • THE CENTER OF MODERN HUMANISM
  • THE STAKES OF CONTEMPORARY HUMANISM

Abdennour Bidar positions humanism not as a single historical epoch, but as a continuous, multifaceted quest running through Western intellectual and artistic traditions. Rather than reducing the tradition to the Renaissance, the study traces how successive eras—from ancient Greece and Rome and the monotheistic foundations to the Enlightenment—have continually redefined human dignity, universal fraternity, and moral responsibility. The work engages with long-standing philosophical questions regarding how civilizations balance boundless ambition with self-critique, examining the ongoing process of humanization that shapes historical consciousness.

Rooted in contemporary philosophical inquiry, the book serves as a vital resource for readers interested in the history of ideas, cultural philosophy, and the evolution of secular thought. By questioning whether contemporary Western societies still measure up to their profound humanist heritage, Bidar invites a broader reflection on cross-cultural dialogue and the future of shared values. It will particularly appeal to students and scholars of philosophy, intellectual history, and cultural studies seeking a comprehensive reevaluation of humanism's role in addressing modern global challenges.