The weaker dimensions of humanity
11 Feb. / 2026
The more an issue is vague, complex, and hard to grasp, the more the population disengages
The Humanity Index evaluates, across 14 dimensions, the influence each has on the perception of our humanity, as well as their respective strength in the opinion of Canadians.
Much has been said about the four dimensions that have the greatest influence on our collective humanity (generosity, democracy, engagement/involvement, and truth/trust), but little attention has been paid to those with the least influence.
The three “dehumanized” dimensions
Thus, the environment (12th), justice (13th), and equity (14th) are the three dimensions that have the least influence on our perception, and are also judged to be the weakest by Canadians, in that same order.
We hypothesize that the less we believe we have power or a role to play in improving a dimension, the more that dimension loses influence in our perception.
Even though the environment, justice, and equity are fundamental dimensions in the expression of our humanity, they fail to gain support because they seem to be beyond us, reflecting a sense of powerlessness and futility.
Environmental issues are global and complex; justice is a complicated universe governed by thousands of laws; and equity is a concept as vast as it is subjective and political.
It is therefore difficult for the ordinary citizen, faced with this vastness, to take responsibility and try to contribute. The more an issue is vague, complex, and hard to grasp, the more the population disengages and leaves it to various institutions, hoping they will do the work expected of them.
The necessary trust
But the problem with these three dimensions is that public trust in these institutions is at its lowest (Humanity Index below 60).
If, for these three fundamental humanistic dimensions, the only ways to improve them lie in the hands of various institutions, it becomes even more critical that they inspire at least a minimum level of trust among the population—otherwise…
Humanity is complex, and it begins with a certain level of trust between the population and its leaders. Do we currently have that level of trust?
A large part of the answer lies here.
