Zoe
Zoe (noun) means Bare biological existence, as distinct from a person's particular way of life or social identity. Example: “The philosopher contrasted zoe, mere biological life, with bios, a life shaped by meaning and politics.”
How to use Zoe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn academic term for life in its raw biological sense, used mainly in philosophy and political theory.
This is a specialist, academic usage — outside philosophy texts, "Zoe" is almost always just a first name.
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The philosopher contrasted _____, mere biological life, with bios, a life shaped by meaning and politics.
Etymology
From the Ancient Greek word for "life"; the philosopher Giorgio Agamben popularized this specific technical sense.
Synonyms
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What does “Zoe” mean?
The word “Zoe” means bare biological existence, as distinct from a person's particular way of life or social identity. In plain terms, an academic term for life in its raw biological sense, used mainly in philosophy and political theory.
How do you pronounce “Zoe”?
“Zoe” is pronounced ZOH-ee (/ˈzoʊ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “Zoe” in a sentence?
Here is “Zoe” used in a sentence: “The philosopher contrasted zoe, mere biological life, with bios, a life shaped by meaning and politics.”
What part of speech is “Zoe”?
“Zoe” is a noun.
Where does the word “Zoe” come from?
The word “Zoe” comes from Ancient Greek. From the Ancient Greek word for "life"; the philosopher Giorgio Agamben popularized this specific technical sense.
Is “Zoe” a common word?
“Zoe” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "zoe" and "bios" in Greek thought?
"Zoe" refers to bare biological existence, the fact of being alive, as distinct from "bios," which denotes a person's particular way of life or social identity. The distinction separates raw life itself from the qualified, lived form that life takes within a community.
Is "zoe" a philosophical or biological term?
"Zoe" is used primarily as a philosophical and theoretical term to denote bare biological existence, distinguishing it conceptually from social or political forms of life rather than functioning as a technical biological classification.
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