What does "panpsychism" mean?
The doctrine that all matter has a mental aspect.
Panpsychism
/panˈsʌɪkɪz(ə)m/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The doctrine that all matter has a mental aspect.
- Grammar: panpsychism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: animism, atomism, form, idealism.
- Useful contrasts: purely physical.
- Usage evidence: Shintō and Dào are Animisms, with ideas tending towards panpsychism or pantheism, respectively the mind-like aspect or the god-like aspect, at some level, in everything.
How to use "panpsychism"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "panpsychism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "panpsychism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "panpsychism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "animism" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The doctrine that all matter has a mental aspect. uncountable, usually
"As we shall see in chapter 3, the Tiantai school of Buddhism advocated a version of panpsychism without such beliefs, and this demonstrates that the panpsychist thesis stands on its own, and is logically independent of the claim that mentality can somehow be attributed to the universe as a whole."
- 2 Any specific doctrine or system of panpsychism. countable, usually
"Whitehead devised such a conception, which to my mind definitely supersedes the panpsychisms of the history of metaphysics."
Antonyms
purely physical
Example
"Shintō and Dào are Animisms, with ideas tending towards panpsychism or pantheism, respectively the mind-like aspect or the god-like aspect, at some level, in everything."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "panpsychism"?
Common synonyms include: animism, atomism, form, idealism, parapsychology, philosophy.
How do you use "panpsychism" in a sentence?
Shintō and Dào are Animisms, with ideas tending towards panpsychism or pantheism, respectively the mind-like aspect or the god-like aspect, at some level, in everything.
How do you pronounce "panpsychism"?
Pronounced /panˈsʌɪkɪz(ə)m/.
Etymology
From pan- + psychism, a calque of German Panpsychismus (1874), from Latin pampsychia (1591). Cognate with Ancient Greek πάμψυχος (pámpsukhos, “in full life”) and (modern) Greek παμψυχισμός (pampsychismós, “panpsychism”).