Humane

Alien philology is a challenging but rewarding specialty within the field of alien zoology. It was only recently that I discovered what these creatures call themselves. They call themselves "human." When, that is, they aren't calling each other a variety of other colorful names.

But "human" seems to be the bedrock term. And that leads us to a most interesting and enigmatic word: "humane." What the heck does that mean? I've been popping my suckers over that one for months. Human/humane. It can't be a coincidence. I briefly considered whether the latter might be an archaic form of the former, but it occurs too frequently, too recently, and never as a noun.

I think I have it now. "Humane" means "in a human way" or "like a human." I might have come to that conclusion earlier, but the common usage is confusing. In the documents I have seen, "humane" is almost always used in connection with slaughtering other species. Or sometimes their own. This didn't seem like anything any respectable species would want to associate with its core nature.

I have my sibren* in alien zoology to thank for helping to clear up the mystery. These "humans," it seems, are cruel, violent, self-deluded creatures. So, "humane" does mean "in a human way." That is to say, cruelly and violently, but without extra torture thrown in. And their self-delusion allows them to think that this is noble.

* I.e., brethren and sistren