vitalism Sentence Examples
- Vitalism, the concept that living organisms are propelled by a non-physical force, has persisted in various forms throughout human history.
- Ancient Greeks believed in pneuma, a vital force thought to animate living beings, while Medieval scholars posited an "archē" or "vital spirit."
- In the 18th century, the vitalist theory of Georg Stahl proposed that a life force, or "phlogiston," was responsible for combustion and other biological processes.
- Vitalism was challenged by the rise of scientific materialism, which emphasized the physical and chemical basis of life.
- Despite criticism, vitalist ideas persisted in fields such as biology, physiology, and medicine.
- Early physiologists believed that a vital force, known as "vis vitalis," governed essential bodily functions like digestion and circulation.
- Vitalism influenced the development of homeopathy, which posits that the healing power of remedies lies not in their physical properties but in their "vital force."
- In modern science, vitalism is largely discredited, with the principles of biology and chemistry providing a comprehensive explanation for life processes.
- However, the concept of "vitality" persists as a colloquial term for the essential energy supporting an organism's well-being.
- Some contemporary philosophers continue to explore the notion of vitalism as a potential explanation for the unique characteristics of living systems.
vitalism Meaning
vitalism (n)
(philosophy) a doctrine that life is a vital principle distinct from physics and chemistry
vitalism (n.)
The doctrine that all the functions of a living organism are due to an unknown vital principle distinct from all chemical and physical forces.
Synonyms & Antonyms of vitalism
No Synonyms and anytonyms found
FAQs About the word vitalism
(philosophy) a doctrine that life is a vital principle distinct from physics and chemistryThe doctrine that all the functions of a living organism are due to an
No synonyms found.
No antonyms found.
Vitalism, the concept that living organisms are propelled by a non-physical force, has persisted in various forms throughout human history.
Ancient Greeks believed in pneuma, a vital force thought to animate living beings, while Medieval scholars posited an "archē" or "vital spirit."
In the 18th century, the vitalist theory of Georg Stahl proposed that a life force, or "phlogiston," was responsible for combustion and other biological processes.
Vitalism was challenged by the rise of scientific materialism, which emphasized the physical and chemical basis of life.
