brute creation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brute creation" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to refer to animals or other creatures that are seen as primitive or lacking intelligence. Example: "In the eyes of some, humans are the masters of the world, while the rest of the brute creation is seen as nothing more than tools for our use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Seeking to impose a human identity on brute creation is a different thing.

The Guardian - Film

Consider, for instance, John Lawrence's "Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses, and on the Moral Duties of Man Towards the Brute Creation," published in London in 1796.

The New York Times - Books

As the historian Keith Thomas has shown in a classic book, before the 18th century people were taught to look down on "brute creation".

The Guardian - Arts

After all, our possession of consciousness - this immaterial "mind stuff" - elevates us above mere brute creation, and puts us on a par with the angels and God himself.

BBC

During the perennial furores about breast-feeding in public it's often struck me that what troubles those who object to this practice (which, inasmuch as anything is natural at all, is about as natural as anything gets), is not that it incites their sexual prudery, but that it affronts their idea of themselves as fundamentally disembodied and distinct from the rest of brute creation.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And Mr. Harriton, who still lives in Missoula, is still growing Jeeps; A.E.V.'s latest creation, the Brute Double Cab, is a pickup version of the four-door Wrangler Unlimited.

The New York Times

In March 1912, Europe is replaced -- in the blink of an eye -- with an entirely different landmass, devoid of human beings and inhabited by insentient brutes whose apparently de novo creation mocks the still-controversial theories of Charles Darwin.

The New York Times - Books

Japanese warm to these themes of self-sacrifice and redemption, says Chiba, seeing the brute as an all-too-human, natural creation – not as an "other", like Western audiences tend to view their celluloid monstrosities.

BBC

What was irksome was the flattening of my entire work, the left's creation of a cartoonish pundit-brute who carried my byline but whom I barely recognized.

HuffPost

Led by the Big Three, the nation's colleges joined together in the creation of rules that stressed finesse rather than brute strength.

The New York Times - Sports

Strong drew an analogy with Christ's miraculous conversion of water into wine: "The wine in the miracle was not water because water had been used in the making of it, nor is man a brute because the brute has made some contributions to its creation".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brute creation" when you want to emphasize a distinction between humans and other beings, often implying a lack of intellect or sophistication in the latter. Be mindful of the potentially negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "brute creation" when a neutral term like "wildlife" or "animal kingdom" is more appropriate. The phrase carries a connotation of inferiority or primitiveness that may not be intended.

Linguistic Context

Brute creation functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes the non-human world, often viewed in contrast to humanity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brute creation" is a noun phrase used to refer to the non-human world, often with a subtle implication of inferiority or primitiveness. While grammatically correct and present in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, its frequency is relatively rare. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is a valid part of the English language. When writing, be mindful of the potential negative connotation and consider more neutral alternatives like "animal kingdom" or "wildlife" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

animal kingdom

Replaces "creation" with a more specific term, focusing solely on animals and their natural order.

lower life forms

Emphasizes a hierarchical view of life, with "lower" implying a simpler or less evolved state.

non-human life

Focuses on excluding humans from the category, highlighting the distinction between human and other forms of life.

beastly beings

Uses a more evocative and potentially negative term ("beastly") to describe non-human entities.

wild creatures

Highlights the untamed and natural aspect of non-human life.

natural world

Broadens the scope to encompass all aspects of nature, including but not limited to non-human life.

fauna

A scientific term referring to the animals of a particular region or period.

irrational beings

Emphasizes the lack of reason or intellect in non-human entities.

the wild

Focuses on the natural environment where wild animals live.

creatures of the earth

A more poetic and general way to refer to all living beings on the planet, excluding humans.

FAQs

What does "brute creation" mean?

The phrase "brute creation" typically refers to animals or non-human living beings, often with an implication of lacking intellect or higher reasoning capabilities. It's a way of distinguishing humans from the rest of the natural world.

How can I use "brute creation" in a sentence?

You might use "brute creation" to discuss the differences between human behavior and animal instincts, or to describe a philosophical view that places humans above other life forms. For example: "The philosopher argued that humans have a moral responsibility to care for the brute creation."

What are some alternatives to "brute creation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "animal kingdom", "wild creatures", or "non-human life". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "brute creation" a negative term?

The term "brute creation" can carry a negative connotation, implying that animals are inferior or less important than humans. Consider the implications carefully before using it, and choose a more neutral term if appropriate. Sometimes phrases like "natural world" or "animal life" are more suitable.