biophilia

American  

[bahy-oh-fil-ee-uh, ‑-feel-yuh] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈfɪl i ə, ‑ˈfil yə /

noun

1. a love of life and the living world; the affinity of human beings for other life forms.

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biophilia British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˈfɪlɪə /

noun

1. an innate love for the natural world, supposed to be felt universally by humankind

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Etymology

Origin of biophilia

1960–65; from New Latin: literally, “love of life” from bio- ( def. ) + -philia ( def. ); coined by Erich Fromm in The Heart of Man: Its Genius for Good and Evil (1964) to mean “love for humanity and nature, and independence and freedom”; extended by Edward O. Wilson in Biophilia (1984) to mean “the rich, natural pleasure that comes from being surrounded by living organisms.”

Example Sentences

Thus American society stands broadly convicted of necrophilia — as opposed to biophilia.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2024

The effort seeks to give office workers access to fresh air, sunlight and plants, in tune with the concept of biophilia, which says humans have an innate connection with nature.

From New York Times • Aug. 25, 2021

Perhaps it will become a model of biophilia in action, with spaces designed to foster a greater appreciation of nature and encourage daily interaction and interest in the natural world.

From Washington Post • Jun. 11, 2021

One is the biophilia hypothesis, which posits that because we evolved surrounded by plants and greenery we have an innate affinity for them.

From Slate • Jun. 30, 2020

I’m struck by how this zoo holiday helps fulfil what US naturalist EO Wilson called biophilia – our craving for a deep connection with other species.

From The Guardian • May 31, 2019