vitalism

• Philosophische und wissenschaftliche Lehre, die annimmt, dass das Leben auf eine besondere Lebenskraft oder einen Lebensprinzip zurückgeht, das sich von rein physikalischen oder chemischen Kräften unterscheidet.

A philosophical and scientific doctrine holding that life originates from a vital principle distinct from purely physical or chemical forces.

unzählbar

1. Philosophical doctrineC1formalscientific

   The theory that life processes are not explicable by the laws of physics and chemistry alone and that life is in some part self-determining.

   Philosophische Doktrin

   • Vitalism was a dominant theory in biology before the 20th century.
   • The decline of vitalism began with the synthesis of urea from inorganic compounds.
   • Some alternative medicine practices are based on principles of vitalism.