The English word humanity originates from the Latin humanitas, referring to mankind and human nature. In Chinese, it is translated as “人文 (renwen).” The first character, “人 (human),” makes clear that the humanities are centered on the study of human beings—a point shared with Western traditions. The second character, “文 (culture, pattern, or expression),” however, carries far more complex meanings in the Chinese language. From interwoven lines to patterns and tattoos, from personal bearing and character to sound, speech, and written works, and even to the cosmic patterns of heaven and earth—the sun, moon, and stars—“文” encompasses all that humans perceive and express. Through “文,” we come to see “人.” What can be visualized, heard, felt, practiced, and continually re-created gives rise to the humanistic world. It is through these embodied forms of expression that humanity takes shape and finds fulfillment.
Therefore, when we speak of embodied humanities, we begin with the human being, with bodily perception, and with experiences and a sense of history shaped through the body. This focus is not only fundamental to the humanities at their core; in an age of advanced digital technologies, it is also one of the most timely and urgent concerns of our time.