Transformists

Transformists were a group of people, primarily in the 19th century, who were interested in the concept of transformation or transmutation. This interest often stemmed from a blend of scientific curiosity, spiritual beliefs, and philosophical inquiry. The term itself can be applied to a variety of individuals and movements, but generally encompasses those who believed in or sought to achieve fundamental changes in the nature of beings, substances, or forms.

In a biological context, transformists often explored ideas that predated or ran parallel to the development of Darwinian evolution. Some believed in the inheritance of acquired characteristics, a concept later formalized by Lamarck. Others were fascinated by metamorphosis in insects or other organisms, seeing it as a tangible example of profound change. This biological transformism was a significant aspect of early evolutionary thought, even if the proposed mechanisms differed from modern understanding.

Beyond biology, the concept of transformism also appeared in spiritual and mystical traditions. Alchemists, for instance, were famously transformists, seeking to transmute base metals into gold, a process that held symbolic meaning for spiritual purification as well. In some occult or esoteric circles, transformism could refer to the belief in shapeshifting or the ability to alter one's own form through magical or spiritual means. The term therefore reflects a broad historical interest in the nature and possibility of radical change.