Hylozoism
/ˌhaɪləˈzoʊ.ɪ.zəm/noun
The doctrine that matter is alive or that all matter has life.
Did you know?The term was coined in the 17th century from Greek roots to name a philosophy that blurred the line between dead matter and living substance—an idea that still feels eerily close to animism and occult worldviews.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
hýlē
“wood; matter; stuff”
Ancient Greek
Greek
zōḗ
“life”
17th Century
English
hylozoism
“the doctrine that matter is living”
Modern English
English
hylozoism
“the belief that all matter has life or vitality”
Explore more surprising origins