vitalism (redirected from vitalists)

vi·tal·ism  (vtl-zm)

n.

The theory or doctrine that life processes arise from or contain a nonmaterial vital principle and cannot be explained entirely as physical and chemical phenomena.

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vital·ist adj. & n.

vital·istic adj.

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vitalism

1. Philosophy. the doctrine that phenomena are only partly controlled by mechanistic forces and are in some measure self-determining.
2. Biology. the doctrine that the life in living organisms is caused and sustained by a vital principle that is distinct from all physical and chemical forces. Cf. mechanism. — vitalist, n. — vitalistic, adj.

See also: Life

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1. the doctrine that phenomena are only partly controlled by mechanical forces and are in some measure self-determining. Cf. mechanism, organicism.
2. the doctrine that ascribes the functions of a living organism to a vital principle (as élan vital) distinct from physical or chemical forces. Cf. dynamism. — vitalist, n., adj. — vitalistic, adj.

See also: Philosophy

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

vitalism - (philosophy) a doctrine that life is a vital principle distinct from physics and chemistry philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy