Vitalism
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
The belief that living organisms possess a non-material, special "vital force" (Élan vital) that cannot be explained by the laws of physics and chemistry. Although it has been refuted by modern biology, it still has influence in culture and alternative medicine.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
A reaction against reductionism. It reminds us that when studying complex systems (life, organizations), simple decomposition (reducing to parts) may lose some emergent "overall activity." Although there is no mysterious vital force, "emergence" itself is like a vital force.
Anchor fast decisions
It holds that life phenomena are driven by a non-material "vital force/energy" that cannot be fully reduced to physicochemical laws; it was once used to explain growth, purposefulness, and spontaneous order.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/3Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitalismverified
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