Define Vitalism.

Vitalism is a philosophical and scientific concept that posits the existence of a vital force or life energy distinct from physical and chemical processes. It suggests that living organisms are animated by an intrinsic principle or essence that cannot be reduced to purely material or mechanistic explanations. Vitalism historically contrasted with mechanistic views that sought to explain life solely through physical and chemical processes.

In vitalist thought, life is not merely the sum of its physical and chemical components but involves a non-material, vital force or energy that differentiates living from non-living entities. This concept has roots in ancient philosophy and became influential during the 18th and 19th centuries, especially before the advent of modern biology.

However, with the rise of molecular biology and the scientific revolution, vitalism declined as a dominant perspective. Modern biology largely adheres to a reductionist and materialistic framework, explaining life processes through cellular and molecular mechanisms without invoking a separate vital force. While vitalism is not widely accepted in contemporary scientific discourse, echoes of its ideas persist in holistic and alternative approaches to health and wellness.