vitalism

vitalism
The theory that animal functions are dependent upon a special form of energy or force, the vital force, distinct from the physical forces. SYN: vis vitae, vis vitalis. [L. vitalis, pertaining to life]

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vi·tal·ism 'vīt-əl-.iz-əm n
1) a doctrine that the functions of a living organism are due to a vital principle distinct from physicochemical forces
2) a doctrine that the processes of life are not explicable by the laws of physics and chemistry alone and that life is in some part self-determining

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vi·ta·lism (viґtə-liz-əm) [L. vita life] the theory, opposed to mechanism (def. 3), that biological activities are due to a vital force or principle distinct from physical and chemical forces.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • vitalism — VITALÍSM s.n. Curent în biologie, opus atât materialismului cât şi spiritualismului, care explică procesele de viaţă prin prezenţa în organismul viu a unui principiu imaterial şi incognoscibil, căruia îi sub subordonate toate procesele fizico… …   Dicționar Român

  • Vitalism — Vi tal*ism, n. (Biol.) The doctrine that all the functions of a living organism are due to an unknown vital principle distinct from all chemical and physical forces. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vitalism — [vīt′ liz΄əm] n. [Fr vitalisme] the doctrine that the life in living organisms is caused and sustained by a vital force that is distinct from all physical and chemical forces and that life is, in part, self determining and self evolving vitalist… …   English World dictionary

  • Vitalism — This article is about the non mechanist philosophy. For other uses, see vital (disambiguation). Vitalism, as defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary,[1] is a doctrine that the functions of a living organism are due to a vital principle distinct …   Wikipedia

  • vitalism — The doctrine that there is some feature of living bodies that prevents their nature being entirely explained in physical or chemical terms. This feature may be the presence of a further ‘thing’ (such as a soul), but it may also be simply the… …   Philosophy dictionary

  • vitalism — vitalist, n., adj. vitalistic, adj. vitalistically, adv. /vuyt l iz euhm/ 1. the doctrine that phenomena are only partly controlled by mechanical forces, and are in some measure self determining. Cf. dynamism (def. 1), mechanism (def. 8) …   Universalium

  • vitalism — animism has been applied to many different philosophical systems. It is used to describe Aristotle s view of the relation of soul and body held also by the stoics and scholastics. On the other hand monadology (Leibniz) has also been termed… …   Mini philosophy glossary

  • Vitalism (Jainism) — Vitalism, also known as dynamism is the philosophy expounded by Mahavira, a prominent teacher of Jainism. It combined the earlier Jain teacher Pārśvanātha s asceticism and the naturalistic teachings of the Ājīvikas.Because life is to be… …   Wikipedia

  • vitalism — noun Date: 1822 1. a doctrine that the functions of a living organism are due to a vital principle distinct from physicochemical forces 2. a doctrine that the processes of life are not explicable by the laws of physics and chemistry alone and… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • vitalism — noun the doctrine that life involves some immaterial vital force , and cannot be explained scientifically …   Wiktionary

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