ANIMISM
animism
(noun) the doctrine that all natural objects and the universe itself have souls; “animism is common among primitive peoples”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
animism (countable and uncountable, plural animisms)
A belief that spirits inhabit some or all classes of natural objects or phenomena.
A belief that an immaterial force animates the universe.
(dated) A doctrine that animal life is produced by an immaterial spirit.
Coordinate terms
Source: Wiktionary
An"i*mism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. animisme, fr. L. anima soul. See
Animate.]
1. The doctrine, taught by Stahl, that the soul is the proper
principle of life and development in the body.
2. The belief that inanimate objects and the phenomena of nature are
endowed with personal life or a living soul; also, in an extended
sense, the belief in the existence of soul or spirit apart from
matter. Tylor.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition