Bounds of Conscience in Animism

Abstract

The article examines the aspect of “consciousness” in action as a necessary factor for its definition as animistic, while renewing the definition of “animism” in Ukrainian scientific discourse. The examination is made through the prism of “new animism”, as it is described in the seminal texts of Eduardo Viveiros de Castro, Nurit Bird-David, Tim Ingold and Philippe Descola – authors whose phenomenal work formed and popularized the very concept, or more precisely – a modern reimagination of an older concept of animism, that is being discussed. The main analytic emphasis is placed on new animism as such, using comparison of animistic behavior examples from said works or author’s surroundings with how some highly institutionalized world religions are treating the aspect of “consciousness” behind different actions of their members, and parallel analysis of “consciousness” factor within the framework of discussed ontology. Parallels are also drawn with many everyday and routine actions performed by our contemporaries in Ukraine, specifically to underline that animistic behaviour is not just a thing of the past, tribal communities or traditional culture only, but could be a common occurrence in a modern society. It is stated that demand for “consciousness” in actions to be considered as part of a group that is common amongst many monotheistic religions is less common outside of them. Ultimately, the author comes to the conclusion of practice over institutions dominance within the framework of animistic ontology, argues for animism belonging to the category of “world perceptions” rather than “worldviews” and, furthermore, the lack of need to consciously define one’s actions as animistic by a performer themself in order for those actions to be categorized as animistic by a viewer.