vitalistic

vitalistic

A scientist explains vitalistic principles in a biology lecture.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Relating to vitalism: "vitalistic" describes something that pertains to or is characteristic of the philosophical doctrine of vitalism, which posits that living organisms are fundamentally different from non-living entities because they possess a "vital force" or life principle that cannot be explained solely by physical or chemical laws.
Usage Examples
  • (The approach relied on the idea of a life force beyond chemistry.)
  • (She believed consciousness arises from a non-physical life principle.)
  • (It compared theories that invoke a life force to those that rely on physical laws alone.)
Advanced Usage

  • "vitalistic philosophy": a worldview that emphasizes the uniqueness of life processes.

    • The vitalistic philosophy of Henri Bergson influenced early 20th-century thought. (Bergson's ideas stressed the creative, spontaneous nature of life.)

  • "vitalistic principle": the hypothetical force that vitalists believe animates living things.

    • Many scientists now reject the vitalistic principle, as it is not empirically testable. (They dismiss the idea of a separate life force.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Vitalism (n): the philosophical doctrine that life originates from a non-material principle.

    • Vitalism was popular in the 19th century before the rise of modern biochemistry. (The doctrine held that life cannot be reduced to chemistry.)

  • Vitalist (n): a person who advocates or believes in vitalism.

    • A vitalist might argue that a living cell has properties not found in non-living matter. (A believer in vitalism.)

  • Vitalistically (adv): in a manner that relates to or reflects vitalism.

    • He explained the phenomenon vitalistically, invoking a life force. (He explained it using vitalistic concepts.)
Synonyms

  • Vitalist: (adj) having the same meaning as "vitalistic".

    • The vitalist theory was once widely accepted. (The theory based on vitalism.)

  • Animistic: relating to the belief that natural objects and phenomena have souls or life forces.

    • Animistic and vitalistic ideas share the notion of a non-physical life essence. (Both involve a life principle.)
Related Idioms