Anthropopathism (from Greek ἄνθρωπος ''anthropos'', "human" and πάθος ''pathos'', "suffering") is the attribution of human

emotion Emotions are physical and mental states brought on by neurophysiology, neurophysiological changes, variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavior, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or suffering, displeasure. There is ...

s, or the ascription of

human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') or modern humans are the most common and widespread species of primate, and the last surviving species of the genus ''Homo''. They are Hominidae, great apes characterized by their Prehistory of nakedness and clothing ...

feeling According to the '' APA Dictionary of Psychology'', a feeling is "a self-contained phenomenal experience"; feelings are "subjective, evaluative, and independent of the sensations, thoughts, or images evoking them". The term ''feeling'' is closel ...

s or passions to a non- human being, generally to a

deity A deity or god is a supernatural being considered to be sacred and worthy of worship due to having authority over some aspect of the universe and/or life. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines ''deity'' as a God (male deity), god or god ...

. By comparison, the term

anthropomorphism Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. It is considered to be an innate tendency of human psychology. Personification is the related attribution of human form and characteristics t ...

originally referred to the attribution of human form to a non-human being, but in modern usage anthropomorphism has come to encompass both meanings.

Religion

This is a technique prevalent in religious writings, where, for instance,

is attributed to

God In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...

, where he would not normally experience emotion in this sense. Anthropopathism existed in the ancient Semitic religion and early Islam. This technique is also used in the book of Genesis, as an example of the theme of God as a personal god.

References

Anthropomorphism Emotion Religious philosophical concepts {{religious-philo-stub

Religion

See also

References