animalist

animalist

An animalist paints a portrait of a lion in its natural habitat.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A person who advocates or believes in animalism: "animalist" refers to someone who holds the philosophical view that humans are merely animals, without a distinct spiritual or rational essence.
    • An artist who specializes in depicting animals: "animalist" also describes a painter or sculptor whose primary subject matter is animals.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The philosopher was labeled an animalist for arguing that human consciousness is just a complex animal instinct. (A person who believes humans are essentially animals.)
    • The gallery featured a famous animalist whose sculptures of lions and horses were remarkably lifelike. (An artist who specializes in animal subjects.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to be an animalist in the ethical sense": to advocate for animal rights or the moral consideration of animals, though this is less common.
    • Many modern animalists argue for the legal personhood of great apes. (Those who champion animal welfare from a philosophical standpoint.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Animalism (n): the philosophical doctrine that humans are merely animals; also, devotion to physical or sensual pleasures.

    • His animalism led him to reject any notion of a soul. (The belief that humans are purely biological creatures.)

  • Animalistic (adj): relating to or resembling an animal; characterized by physical, instinctual behavior.

    • The dancer's movements were fluid and animalistic. (Resembling the grace or wildness of an animal.)
Synonyms
  • Zoophilist (n): a person who loves animals, often used in a similar but not identical context.
  • Materialist (n): in philosophy, someone who believes reality is purely physical, which overlaps with animalist views.
  • Animal painter (n): a specific type of animalist in the arts.
Related Idioms
  • (No common idioms directly use "animalist," but related expressions exist.)
  • "The beast within": a phrase referring to the animalistic nature thought to exist in humans, aligning with animalist philosophy.
    • The novel explores the beast within each person. (The primal, animal side of human nature.)