What is animism, and can you give an example of an indigenous belief?

What is animism, and can you give an example of an indigenous belief?

• A. A modern secular philosophy
• B. Attributing spiritual essence to natural objects or creatures; examples include spirits of rivers, mountains, and ancestors
• C. A belief that only humans have souls
• D. The idea that science explains all phenomena

Answer: (B)

Animism is the belief that natural objects and beings have spirits or souls. This means rivers, mountains, trees, animals, and even ancestors are seen as living with their own agency and ability to interact with people. An indigenous example is the idea that rivers and mountains are inhabited by spirits and that ancestors continue to influence the world. This stands apart from other ideas because it centers spiritual forces in nature, rather than presenting a modern secular philosophy, a view that only humans have souls, or the notion that science can explain all phenomena.

Animism is the belief that natural objects and beings have spirits or souls. This means rivers, mountains, trees, animals, and even ancestors are seen as living with their own agency and ability to interact with people. An indigenous example is the idea that rivers and mountains are inhabited by spirits and that ancestors continue to influence the world. This stands apart from other ideas because it centers spiritual forces in nature, rather than presenting a modern secular philosophy, a view that only humans have souls, or the notion that science can explain all phenomena.