Vitalism
Vitalism
Vitalism (pronounced: /ˈvaɪtəˌlɪzəm/) is a historical school of thought in the field of medicine and biology that postulates the existence of a life force, often referred to as the "vital spark," "élan vital," or "vital principle," that distinguishes living organisms from non-living matter.
Etymology
The term "vitalism" has been derived from the Latin word 'vita', meaning 'life'. It was first used in the early 19th century to describe the belief in a life force beyond physical and chemical processes.
History
Vitalism has its roots in ancient and medieval thought, but it was most prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was during this time that scientists like Georges Cuvier and Karl Ernst von Baer defended vitalist ideas. However, with the advancement of biochemistry and cell biology, the concept of vitalism has largely been discarded by the scientific community.
Concepts
Vitalism is based on the belief that living organisms are fundamentally different from non-living entities because they contain some non-physical element or are governed by different principles than are inanimate things. This "vital force" is often said to be responsible for various biological phenomena such as growth, development, and reproduction.
Criticism and Legacy
Vitalism has been criticized for being unscientific as it invokes a non-physical life force that cannot be measured or tested. Despite this, the concept of vitalism has had a lasting impact on various fields, including alternative medicine, where ideas about a life force are often invoked.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vitalism
- Wikipedia's article - Vitalism
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