animalism

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun the doctrine that human beings are purely animal in nature and lacking a spiritual nature
noun preoccupation with satisfaction of physical drives and appetites

From animal + -ism.

There was animalism in the soul, and the body had its moments of spirituality. — The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
In the romances of chivalry love is either a mere animalism or a fantastic idolatry. — Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Some might risk the odd paradox that with more animalism he would have been the nobler man. — Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman, Thomas Hardy

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