vitalismin

Vitalism is a philosophical doctrine that holds that the processes of life are not explicable by the same physicochemical forces that govern inanimate matter. It posits that a vital spark, an immaterial and non-physical "vital force" or "élan vital," is responsible for the unique characteristics of living organisms. This force is believed to animate matter, giving it life, growth, reproduction, and purpose.

Historically, vitalism was a dominant view in biology, particularly from the 18th to the mid-19th century. Prominent vitalists like Georg Ernst Stahl proposed that life was due to a "anima" or soul. However, the development of organic chemistry, particularly the synthesis of urea by Friedrich Wöhler in 1828, began to challenge vitalist claims by demonstrating that organic compounds could be produced without the involvement of living organisms or a vital force.

Modern biology largely rejects vitalism. The prevailing scientific understanding attributes the characteristics of life to complex chemical and physical processes that occur within organized biological structures. Mechanisms such as metabolism, genetics, and evolution are explained through the principles of physics and chemistry, without recourse to an independent vital force. While the term "vitalism" is rarely used in contemporary scientific discourse, the historical debate it represents was crucial in shaping the methodologies and understanding of modern biology.