Describing something that is not human-like in form or behavior; lacking human characteristics. This term is frequently applied to depictions of animals, deities, or objects that do not possess or exhibit human traits, such as feelings, thoughts, actions, or physical attributes. The focus is on representing things as they are, or in ways that differ from anthropocentric interpretations, moving away from imbuing non-human entities with human qualities, motivations, or perspectives. The aim is to depict things in an unbiased manner avoiding the injection of human experience.
Non-anthropomorphic meaning with examples
- The children's book depicted the animals in a non-anthropomorphic manner. They were drawn with realistic proportions and engaged in activities that are typical for their species, avoiding human-like clothing or speech. Their interactions showcased natural instincts and behaviors.
- Early cave paintings, particularly of animals, showcase a non-anthropomorphic approach. The artists focused on capturing the animals' physical form and movement, without giving them human characteristics or expressions, and were keen to portray the animals truthfully.
- In some scientific literature, the study of animal behavior attempts to maintain a non-anthropomorphic perspective. Researchers strive to describe and explain actions based on observable data, resisting the urge to interpret behaviors through human emotional lenses.
- The ancient religious statues were non-anthropomorphic. The representation of the deities aimed to represent the supernatural but avoided depicting the entities with human forms. The goal was to depict them in a manner that showed their difference from human form.