Which term refers to the belief that mind and spirit inhabit living beings and natural phenomena?

Which term refers to the belief that mind and spirit inhabit living beings and natural phenomena?

• A. Animism
• B. Dualism
• C. Materialism
• D. Monism

Answer: (A)

Animism is the belief that mind and spirit inhabit living beings and natural phenomena. This view attributes consciousness, intentions, or spiritual essence to a wide range of entities—humans, animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather—so they are seen as have agency and life beyond mere physical processes. That contrasts with dualism, which separates mind and body but doesn’t imply that natural objects or forces possess minds. Materialism holds that everything is physical matter and processes, with no spirit or consciousness in nature. Monism posits a single ultimate substance or reality, which can be either material or mental, but it doesn’t inherently entail attributing minds or spirits to the natural world. Hence, animism best fits the idea of mind or spirit inhabiting living beings and natural phenomena.

Animism is the belief that mind and spirit inhabit living beings and natural phenomena. This view attributes consciousness, intentions, or spiritual essence to a wide range of entities—humans, animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather—so they are seen as have agency and life beyond mere physical processes. That contrasts with dualism, which separates mind and body but doesn’t imply that natural objects or forces possess minds. Materialism holds that everything is physical matter and processes, with no spirit or consciousness in nature. Monism posits a single ultimate substance or reality, which can be either material or mental, but it doesn’t inherently entail attributing minds or spirits to the natural world. Hence, animism best fits the idea of mind or spirit inhabiting living beings and natural phenomena.