vitalism
/ˈvʌɪt(ə)lɪz(ə)m
/noun [mass noun]
The theory that the origin and phenomena of life are dependent on a force or principle distinct from purely chemical or physical forces.Energy medicines are based upon variants of the metaphysical theory known as vitalism, a theory that has been dead in the West for over a century....
- Since the demise of vitalism, we do not think of life per se as something distinct from living things.
- But for long after that the elaborate organization of living things remained daunting and mysterious, and left plenty of room for vitalism as a respectable concept.
Derivatives
vitalist
- Contrary to what your consult implies in his response, I am not a vitalist, a reductionist, or a physicalist.
- However, energy theorists and other vitalists are no closer to uncovering the truth behind our existence than the rest of us.
- However, as with all such models, danger lurks in vitalist assumptions that lead in turn to technological and social determinism.
vitalistic
- All invoke extremely speculative theories from modern cosmology, quantum mechanics, vitalistic theories of biology and parapsychology, and other fringe sciences.
- The hospice philosophy is explicitly not vitalistic.
- From this less vitalistic perspective, lost blood might be replaced by fluids that would refill the circulatory system while avoiding nasty coagulation.
Origin
Early 19th century: from French vitalisme, or from vital + -ism.
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