animatism

English

Etymology

From animate +‎ -ism. Originally coined by British anthropologist Robert Marett to refer to "a belief in a generalized, impersonal power over which people have some measure of control".

Noun

animatism (countable and uncountable, plural animatisms)

(anthropology) The belief that everything is pervaded by a life force giving each inanimate object a consciousness or personality, but not a soul as in animism.

Translations

belief that everything is pervaded by a life force

Portuguese: animatismo m