Anima mundi

Illustration of the correspondences between all parts of the created cosmos, with the anima mundi depicted as a woman, from the "Utriusque cosmi maioris scilicet et minoris metaphysica, physica atque technica historia" by Robert Fludd

The anima mundi (Greek: ψυχὴ κόσμου psychè kósmou; English: world soul) is, according to several systems of thought, an intrinsic connection between all living things on the planet, which relates to the world in much the same way as the soul is connected to the human body.

Although the concept of the anima mundi originated in classical antiquity, similar ideas can be found in the thoughts of later European philosophers such as those of Baruch Spinoza, Gottfried Leibniz, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Schelling, and Georg W.F. Hegel (particularly in his concept of Weltgeist).

Stoicism[]

The Stoics believed it to be the only vital force in the universe.

Platonism[]

Plato adhered to this idea,^[1] identifying the universe as a living being:

Thus, then, in accordance with the likely account, we must declare that this Cosmos has verily come into existence as a Living Creature endowed with soul and reason [...] a Living Creature, one and visible, containing within itself all the living creatures which are by nature akin to itself.
— Plato, Timaeus 30b–d, translated by W.R.M. Lamb^[2]

Following Plato, the anima mundi became an important component in Neoplatonic cosmology.

Gnosticism[]

The anima mundi was borrowed from Platonist philosophy into several Gnostic sects.

Hermeticism[]

The concept of the anima mundi is present in the works of hermetic philosophers like Paracelsus and Robert Fludd.

Judaism[]

In Jewish mysticism, a parallel concept is that of "Chokhmah Ila'ah", which is the all-encompassing "Supernal Wisdom" that transcends, orders, and vitalises all of creation. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov states that this sublime wisdom may be apprehended by a perfect tzaddik (holy man).^[3] Thus, the tzaddik attains "cosmic consciousness" and thus is empowered to mitigate all division and conflict within creation.

Parallels in eastern philosophy[]

Similar concepts in eastern philosophy include the brahman, purusha, and paramatman of Hinduism, and qi in the Chinese School of Naturalists, Taoism, and Neo-Confucianism.

References[]

^ Plato (1925), Timaeus 30b–d, 33b.
^ Plato (1925), Timaeus 30b–d.
^ Ben Simcha (1808), Likutei Moharan I, 61.

Bibliography[]

Ben Simcha, Nachman (1808). "Torah 61". Likutei Moharan. 1. Ostrog – via Sefaria.
Fideler, David (2014). Restoring the Soul of the World: Our Living Bond With Nature's Intelligence. Inner Traditions. ISBN 978-162055359-6.
Jung, C. G. (1968). Psychology and Alchemy. 12. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-691-01831-6.
Plato (1925). Plato in Twelve Volumes. 9. Translated by Lamb, W.R.M. Cambridge, MA:Harvard University Press; London:William Heinemann Ltd. – via Perseus Project.
Roszak, Theodore (2001) [1992]. The Voice of the Earth: An Exploration of Ecopsychology. Phanes Press. ISBN 1-890482-80-3.
Southern, R. W. (2001). Scholastic Humanism and the Unification of Europe, Volume II: The Heroic Age. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-631-22079-4.