panpsychism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2+)Academic, philosophical, specialized
Quick answer
What does “panpsychism” mean?
The philosophical view that consciousness, mind, or soul is a universal and fundamental feature of all things in the universe.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The philosophical view that consciousness, mind, or soul is a universal and fundamental feature of all things in the universe.
A theory proposing that mind or a mind-like aspect is a fundamental property of reality, present even at the most basic physical levels like elementary particles. It challenges materialist and dualist views by suggesting that consciousness is not exclusive to complex biological organisms but is inherent in the fabric of existence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or usage differences. Spelling is identical. The concept is discussed identically in academic philosophy in both regions.
Connotations
Neutral philosophical term in both varieties, though often associated with non-mainstream or speculative philosophy.
Frequency
Equally rare in both regions, confined almost exclusively to academic philosophy, consciousness studies, and related interdisciplinary fields.
Grammar
How to Use “panpsychism” in a Sentence
[Subject] advocates/defends/rejects panpsychism.Panpsychism posits/suggests/holds that...The central tenet of panpsychism is...A criticism of panpsychism is...According to panpsychism, ...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “panpsychism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb form. Philosophical jargon might use 'to panpsychicise', but it is non-standard.)
American English
- (No standard verb form.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form.)
American English
- (No standard adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- He takes a panpsychist view of reality.
- The panpsychist position is gaining renewed attention.
American English
- She is a panpsychist philosopher.
- His panpsychist argument hinges on non-emergence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare, unlikely to appear. If used, it would be metaphorical, e.g., 'The CEO's panpsychism led him to believe the company had its own consciousness.'
Academic
Primary domain. Used in philosophy of mind, metaphysics, and consciousness studies journals, lectures, and debates. Example: 'Galileo's division of primary and secondary qualities is a historical precursor to contemporary panpsychism.'
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would likely confuse most non-specialist listeners.
Technical
Used in specific philosophical and scientific discussions about the hard problem of consciousness, integrated information theory, and foundational physics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “panpsychism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “panpsychism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “panpsychism”
- Mispronouncing it as 'pan-PSY-chism' (like 'psyche') instead of 'pan-SY-ki-zm'.
- Using it as a synonym for 'pantheism'.
- Assuming it is a mainstream scientific theory rather than a philosophical position.
- Incorrect plural: 'panpsychisms' (usually uncountable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, panpsychism is primarily a philosophical theory or framework within the philosophy of mind. It is informed by scientific findings (e.g., in physics and neuroscience) but is not itself a testable scientific hypothesis in the conventional sense.
Panpsychists typically argue that fundamental particles possess extremely rudimentary forms of experience or 'proto-consciousness', not that a rock has thoughts or feelings like an animal. The rock's experience would be the combined, likely unfathomably simple, experience of its constituent particles.
Historical figures include Baruch Spinoza, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, and Alfred North Whitehead. Contemporary proponents include philosophers like David Chalmers, Galen Strawson, and Philip Goff.
A key argument is based on the 'hard problem of consciousness': if consciousness is not a fundamental property, it must somehow emerge from non-conscious matter. Panpsychists argue this emergence is as mysterious as the problem it tries to solve, making it more parsimonious to see consciousness as fundamental.
The philosophical view that consciousness, mind, or soul is a universal and fundamental feature of all things in the universe.
Panpsychism is usually academic, philosophical, specialized in register.
Panpsychism: in British English it is pronounced /panˈsʌɪkɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /pænˈsaɪkɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PAN (meaning 'all') holding PSYCHIC energy. PAN-PSYCH-ISM = the belief (ISM) that all (PAN) things have a mind or psyche (PSYCH).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE UNIVERSE IS A MIND. / CONSCIOUSNESS IS A FUNDAMENTAL FORCE (like gravity). / MATTER IS MIND-STUFF.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is most directly opposed to panpsychism?