creature
A creature (via Middle High German creatūr [e] / creatiur [e] and Old French creature from Latin creatura , 'creature', from creare , 'create', 'create', 'scoop') is another name for creation or for one Creature . The name bears a resemblance to nature or living beings that were already there, exist now and will still be there before and after we are long gone. The term is associated with a creator god who is interrelated with all creatures (of all times).
Where this theological conceptual feature is absent, the use of the term creature may be suitable to denote extraordinary (real and imagined) forms of life or may contain a tendency towards devaluation.
The following specific meanings are possible:
- In many Bible translations name used in the creation , especially in verses like Isaiah 24.4-6 or Romans 8:22 (see also: " New Creature "). In particular, all animals and plants existing on earth are meant. In Switzerland, the term is used at first glance detached from the theological context, especially in the constitutional context of the dignity of creature .
- Synonym for creature , i.e. every living being ( human , animal or plant ), viewed from the aspect of its nature, i.e. H. its relation to a creator god and, through this, its mutual relation to all other creatures.
- Precisely in the sense of a reciprocal relationship to the other (fellow human being, nature and, in the last step of otherness, God), the term was used in the title of the Lambert Schneider publishing house , Berlin, by Martin Buber , Viktor during the Weimar period (1926–1930) Quarterly publication on humanity and dialogue, Die Kreatur , published by Weizsäcker and Joseph Wittig .
- A general (non-judgmental) term for beings, more precisely mythical creatures , in literature (see for example fantasy ), sagas or stories. This includes in particular man-made beings, such as Frankenstein's monster or the homunculus . Intelligently acting beings of technical origin, such as robots or even androids , are rarely (in a neutral sense) referred to as creatures.
- Disparaging designation of a being
- Insult or discrimination against a person
- pejorative designation of an animal, for example because of its appearance (e.g. snake , crocodile )
- Classification or abuse of a mythical creature as evil , for example as a creature of hell
Examples of well-known mythical creatures: vampire , Frankenstein's monster, dwarf , troll , yeti
(an extensive list can be found under List of mythical creatures .)
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Friedrich Kluge , Alfred Götze : Etymological dictionary of the German language . 20th ed., Ed. by Walther Mitzka , De Gruyter, Berlin / New York 1967; Reprint (“21st unchanged edition”) ibid 1975, ISBN 3-11-005709-3 , p. 402.