Anthropomorphism is the attribution of uniquely human characteristics and qualities to nonhuman beings or inanimate objects.
Is there a word that means the reverse?
Is there a word that means the reverse?
Hi Scotu,
I think we need to establish what you mean by 'opposite of anthropomorphism'.
Would it be to attribute the characteristics of an inanimate object to a person? or to attribute the characteristics of a (sexual) part of the anatomy to a person
If so, calling someone "as full of feeling as a block of stone" might qualify. Isn't that sort of statement generally called an insult?
Not necessairly, some insulting remarks are meant as compliments, like this recent post in the ES/En forum: "She's a top artist. And a sweet pussy, too" (this is what prompted my question)
How about "anthropodenial"? That's creative!.![]()
Ah two great new words; Does metaphor work here?Hi,
There is a rhetorical device called synecdoche a form of metonymy, that is used to describe taking a part for the whole.
I would call this reification: to treat a person or an abstraction as a thing. I am also familiar with the use of the verbal form reify to refer to treating of people as objects, although dictionaries give only the meaning that relates to treating abstractions as concrete things.[....]
But what about ascribing the characteristics of inantimate objects to humans? (He is a rock)
I would call that (hyperbolic) reification.Funny you should have mentioned that, James. I was just wondering what label we put on things like calling someone a blockhead or a dirtbag, other than possibly an insult or objective comment.
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of uniquely human characteristics and qualities to nonhuman beings or inanimate objects.
Is there a word that means the reverse?
Hi mikaAlright, does anyone have a word I could use in the context of the pantheon of classical gods? I looked up anthropomorphic opposite, with the specific intent of finding a word that reversed the relationship between humans seeing gods through the windows of their own nature. I'm actually looking for a word that might mean the way hypothetically a god would see a human through the prism of his own divinity (or the way a human might hope a god would see him thusly)... am prepared to proffer the word deifimorphic if I cant find a word already in usage. any ideas?
[my emphasis in red]The ascription to God or to a god of the form or characteristics of a beast.
Actually, that's not quite true. Currently people are far more likely to talk about anthropormorphising animals or inanimate objects. Of the 15 instances found today in a search for "anthropomorphize" in Google news, 8 concerned animals, the others related to inanimate objects ranging from Twitter to a car, to "Market demands".Anthropomorphism is usually used, not to ascribe human characteristics to things or animals, but to gods. So for instance a loving God in the sky, long white beard, sitting on a throne, is an anthropomorphism.
(By the logic of your definition, your grandfather thought of everyone else in the community as animals to whom the Socialists falsely ascribed feelings.The pathetic fallacy is the ascription of human feelings to animals - 'pathetic' signifying 'feeling'. My grandfather, who knew his oats, used to say that an idealistic Socialist is guilty of the pathetic fallacy - thinking that everyone in the community would share his own lofty ideals.
This is one use of reification. It also can be used to refer to the opposite, treating something animate, especially a person, as though they were an object.Reification is taking an idea or concept to be a concrete entity: as 'under capitalism, man exploits his fellow man; under socialism, it's the reverse'. That's 4 reifications in one short sentence. Or how about "Woman without her Man is a beast", also rendered as "Woman: without her, Man is a beast." Also 3 reifications each.
Sorry my contribution has been a long time coming, but I would use 'reverse anthropomorphism' in the context of "He/she is despicable as Daffy Duck".Anthropomorphism is the attribution of uniquely human characteristics and qualities to nonhuman beings or inanimate objects.
Is there a word that means the reverse?