2 upvotes, 6 direct replies (showing 6)
View submission: /r/philosophy Open Discussion Thread | February 10, 2025
What would you call a philosophy wherein one believes that all things (plant/animal/insects/even inanimate objects, etc.) just want to be intentionally useful? For instance, when I plant seeds, and only one germinates, I feel bad getting rid of the ones who didn’t make it. So I leave them in the pot. Maybe they nurture the one who did make it. Another one: I don’t like wasps. I am allergic to them. But I will go out of my way to capture and release. A broken hand mixer? If I can’t repair, I keep the whisks to use manually. Just wondering if there’s a name for this. Thanks.
Comment by Hot_Experience_8410 at 12/02/2025 at 08:22 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I’d dub it continualism. An excellent perspective you have indeed; I hadn’t ever thought quite like this, generally tending to avoid the topic of what did and did not make it altogether.
Comment by mcapello at 11/02/2025 at 20:06 UTC
-2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Just wondering if there’s a name for this.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is the first term that comes to mind when reading this.
Comment by bildramer at 11/02/2025 at 13:02 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Not sure what to call that specifically, but in general describing it as some form of animism seems like it would fit well.
Comment by OGOJI at 11/02/2025 at 01:56 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
A teleological theory.
Comment by Shield_Lyger at 11/02/2025 at 00:49 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Animism is commonly described as a religious, rather than philosophical, outlook, but it's somewhat close to what you describe here. It's not an exact match, but maybe there's a version of it that more closely aligns to what you're laying out.
Comment by brnkmcgr at 11/02/2025 at 00:26 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
This is not philosophy unless you can formulate principles or arguments around why you believe this and/or why other people should too.