hylozoism
/ˌhaɪləˈzoʊɪzəm/
noun
- The philosophical belief that all matter is alive or has a life principle.
- Ancient Greek philosophers like Thales are sometimes associated with hylozoism because they thought magnets had souls.
- The poet's view of nature was influenced by hylozoism, seeing every rock and stream as filled with spirit.
- Some modern environmental thinkers draw on hylozoism to argue for the intrinsic value of all natural objects.