Final answer:
The animating principle in philosophical terms, particularly according to Aristotle, is known as the 'soul', which varies in abilities among different living beings and is responsible for life-supporting functions such as growth, movement, sensory experience, and in humans, rational thought.
Step-by-step explanation:
The animating principle or life-giving principle that makes matter a distinct living being is traditionally referred to as the 'soul' in philosophical contexts, particularly within Aristotle's framework. Aristotle believed that all living beings had souls which differed in their abilities depending on the type of creature. The soul, according to this conception, is not a body but is rather the act of a body - an essential principle enabling life, growth, and cognitive functions specific to the type of living organism.
Plants possess what is called a vegetative soul responsible for growth and nutrient exchange. Animals have a soul that allows for sensory experiences, desire, and self-movement. Humans, in addition, have the capability for rational thought. This concept aligns with the understanding that to be a living thing, one requires more than just physical form; it involves the capacity for certain life processes, which Aristotle encapsulates in his account of the soul.