1. behavior that is driven by basic physical desires and instincts rather than reason or morality
2. the doctrine that humans are merely animals without souls or higher spiritual nature
Usage: philosophical

Examples

• The novel depicted the gradual descent into animalism during the war.
• Critics accused the regime of promoting pure animalism over human dignity.
• His philosophy rejected animalism in favor of human spiritual potential.
• The documentary explored themes of civilization versus animalism.
• She argued that animalism ignored the complexity of human consciousness.
• The debate centered on whether animalism could explain moral behavior.