Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

vitalism

Noun

/ˈvaɪtəlɪzəm/

Definition

Vitalism is a philosophical theory that asserts that living organisms are fundamentally different from non-living entities because they contain an additional ‘vital’ force or principle that is responsible for their life processes.

Examples

Many early scientists were influenced by the concept of vitalism in their explorations of biology.
Vitalism posits that there is something beyond molecular structure that defines life itself.
While modern biology focuses on biochemical processes, some aspects of vitalism continue to provoke interest and debate.

Meaning

The belief that life cannot be fully explained by purely physical and chemical processes, and that there exists a vital force unique to living beings.