What is another word for vitalism?

Pronunciation: [vˈa͡ɪtəlˌɪzəm] (IPA)

Vitalism is a contentious concept, as it claims that life is based on an intrinsic energy or force that cannot be reduced to physical or chemical processes. Synonyms for the word vitalism thus reflect philosophical and scientific debates on the nature of life, ranging from Romantic notions of a divine spark to modern neuroscientific models. Words such as elan vital, animism, panpsychism, holism, organicism, and emergentism all suggest different ways of understanding life and its origins. Some of these concepts emphasize the agency or intentionality of living beings, while others focus on the interconnectedness and complexity of living systems. Ultimately, the study of vitalism invites us to explore the limits of reductionist approaches to biology and to appreciate the wonder and mystery of the living world.

What are the hypernyms for Vitalism?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the hyponyms for Vitalism?

Hyponyms are more specific words categorized under a broader term, known as a hypernym.

Usage examples for Vitalism

The comments of a number of mechanistic biologists on vitalism furnish the point of departure for Dewey's discussion.
"John Dewey's logical theory"
Delton Thomas Howard
Energetics, it is true, may obtain a definite meaning for its central conception from the measurable behavior of external bodies, and a meaning that may be quite free from vitalism or teleology.
"The Approach to Philosophy"
Ralph Barton Perry
Cesena 2 June, 1787. In 1813 he published an essay on the Doctrine of Life in opposition to vitalism, and henceforward his life was a conflict with the upholders of that doctrine.
"A Biographical Dictionary of Freethinkers of All Ages and Nations"
Joseph Mazzini Wheeler

Related words: vitalist, vitalistic

Related questions:

  • What is vitalism?
  • What is a vitalist?
  • What is the difference between vitalism and materialism?
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