Hominin is a valid word, it refers to the larger group of humans and proto-human...

jrochkind1 · on Dec 19, 2014

So the author meant... in the classic style of humans and their proto-human ancestors? Uh...

jwmerrill · on Dec 19, 2014

Yes, the author meant that searching for explanations is a basic human instinct.

InclinedPlane · on Dec 19, 2014

I suspect not. But it's still a valid word.

bjxrn · on Dec 19, 2014

I think you are thinking of "hominid".

cabalamat · on Dec 19, 2014

Hominid used to mean that, but now it includes the great apes.

Hominin is the current term for the human branch that split from the chimpanzee branch about 6 million years ago.