Comments on: What does Animism mean?

By: Willem

Willem — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:24:26 +0000

Priscilla:

I think I don’t understand your question. Tell me if the following helps:

I have read Graham Harvey’s book. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and do think he and other folks who self-identify as animists would experience strong accord with what I’ve written above.

I first heard the word Animism used in connection with the type of relationship that I had begun to experience with the community of life, in Daniel Quinn’s book “the Story of B”, in the late nineties. Ever since then I’ve participated in a very loose community of writers, thinkers, and lovers of the world in choosing to use the word and attempting to articulate what Animism really means as best as possible. On seeing Graham Harvey’s book I recognized him as a member of this philosophical and experiential community.

I can’t say I’d describe myself as ‘working from’ his book (though partially because I simply don’t know what you mean by that). How I articulate the relationship I (and others, including Graham Harvey) call ‘Animism’ continues to develop.

By: Priscilla

Priscilla — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:53:10 +0000

Are you working from Graham Harvey’s Animism: Respecting the Living World (Columbia Univ Press, 2005)? This is the definition he uses and explores, and the definition that academics like me are now teaching.

By: Willem

Willem — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:57:31 +0000

Thanks Misko - that has always felt like a meaningful thing to note, as contrasted with modern religions. ‘Belief’ versus going with what works to make a good life.

By: Misko

Misko — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:42:24 +0000

Thanks for pointing out this very important distinction:

“…This has nothing to do with belief; this has to do with attitude…”

Another great post!
-Misko