What does pantheism mean?
Pantheism is the belief that the universe and God are not genuinely separate, or that all reality is ultimately one divine substance. In its philosophical sense, it is a position within discussions of metaphysics, theology, and the nature of the divine. The idea appears in many religious and philosophical traditions, expressed in different ways and with different implications. Pantheism should not be confused with theism in general, since theism need not identify God with the universe, or with monism, which is the broader claim that reality has one fundamental principle. Although the term is sometimes used loosely to suggest reverence for nature, its strict meaning is more specific. For discussion of pantheism, it is useful to consider whether the universe is being described as identical with God, as an expression of God, or as a reality that is sacred in itself.
The philosophical belief that all things in the universe are manifestations of a single divine reality, or that the universe as a whole is identical with God.
"The lecture examined how pantheism differs from the belief in a personal creator distinct from nature."
This is the dominant modern philosophical sense of the term.
The worship or veneration of the universe considered as a unified divine whole.
"The ceremony was understood by some observers as a form of pantheism."
Pantheism takes the name of the universe itself: from Greek roots meaning “all” and “god,” it describes a world in which the divine is not separate from everything that exists.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pantheism come from?
Pantheism was formed in the 17th century from Greek elements meaning “all” and “god.” The word is closely related to pantheon, from the same Greek combination, and to forms such as theism, monotheism, and polytheism, which likewise use the Greek word for God. Its development coincided with the growth of modern philosophical discussion about the relationship between God, nature, and the universe.
Related word forms
How pantheism is actually used
Pantheism is primarily a term of philosophy, theology, and religious studies. It is sometimes used more loosely to describe a reverent or holistic attitude toward nature, but this informal use can blur the distinction between a precise philosophical doctrine and ordinary positive language about the natural world.
Easily confused with pantheism
Theism broadly affirms the existence of a deity or deities, whereas pantheism specifically identifies the universe as a manifestation of the divine or treats all reality as one.
Monism is the general view that reality consists of one fundamental substance or principle; pantheism is a specific religious or philosophical interpretation of that idea.