Vitalism vs. Mechanism — What's the Difference?

Posits that life's essence is non-physical.

Supported by scientific discoveries.

Largely replaced by scientific explanations.

Forms the basis of modern biology.

Belief in a distinct force unique to living entities.

Argues life processes can be explained by known laws.

Emphasizes the whole organism rather than its parts.

Focuses on reducing biological processes to their components.

More prevalent before the 20th century.

Facilitates medical and biotechnological progress.

Vitalism is a belief that starts from the premise that "living organisms are fundamentally different from non-living entities because they contain some non-physical element or are governed by different principles than are inanimate things." Where vitalism explicitly invokes a vital principle, that element is often referred to as the "vital spark," "energy," or "élan vital," which some equate with the soul. In the 18th and 19th centuries vitalism was discussed among biologists, between those who felt that the known mechanics of physics would eventually explain the difference between life and non-life and vitalists who argued that the processes of life could not be reduced to a mechanistic process.

A machine or mechanical appliance.

The theory or doctrine that life processes arise from or contain a nonmaterial vital principle and cannot be explained entirely as physical and chemical phenomena.

The arrangement of connected parts in a machine.

The doctrine that life involves some immaterial "vital force", and cannot be explained scientifically.

A system of parts that operate or interact like those of a machine

The doctrine that all the functions of a living organism are due to an unknown vital principle distinct from all chemical and physical forces.

An instrument or a process, physical or mental, by which something is done or comes into being

(philosophy) a doctrine that life is a vital principle distinct from physics and chemistry

A habitual manner of acting to achieve an end.

(Psychology) A usually unconscious mental and emotional pattern that shapes behavior in a given situation or environment

The sequence of steps in a chemical reaction.

(Philosophy) The doctrine that all natural phenomena are explicable by material causes and mechanical principles.

(within a machine or machinery) Any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.

Any combination of cams, gears, links, belts, chains and logical mechanical elements.

A group of entities, such as objects, that interact together.

A mental, physical, or chemical process.

Any process of, or system designed to manage useful energy conversion.

(philosophy) The theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes.

The arrangement or relation of the parts of a machine; the parts of a machine, taken collectively; the arrangement or relation of the parts of anything as adapted to produce an effect; as, the mechanism of a watch; the mechanism of a sewing machine; the mechanism of a seed pod.

The series of causal relations that operate to produce an effect in any system; as, the mechanism of a chemical reaction.

Mechanical operation or action.

An ideal machine; a combination of movable bodies constituting a machine, but considered only with regard to relative movements.

The atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction;

The technical aspects of doing something;

A natural object resembling a machine in structure or function;

(philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes

Device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

While mechanism provides a comprehensive framework for understanding biological processes, the complexity of life sometimes challenges its explanatory power.

Mechanism argues that all biological processes can be explained by physical and chemical laws, without the need for a special life force.

No, vitalism has been largely discredited and replaced by mechanistic explanations in modern science.

Most scientists do not support vitalism, though some may argue that not all aspects of life can be fully explained by mechanism alone.

Vitalism is the theory that life is governed by a special "vital force" distinct from physical and chemical forces.

Yes, the principles of mechanism can be applied to understand a wide range of natural phenomena beyond biology.

Mechanism underpins modern medical science, allowing for the development of treatments and interventions based on understanding biological processes at the molecular level.

Key components include the belief in a life force and the idea that living organisms possess qualities that cannot be explained by physical and chemical laws alone.

Empirical evidence, such as the discovery of DNA and the molecular basis of life processes, supports mechanism.

The accumulation of empirical evidence explaining life processes through physical and chemical principles contributed to the decline of vitalism.

The debate has largely shifted in favor of mechanism, thanks to advancements in biological research that provide empirical support for mechanistic explanations.

While vitalism itself is not a scientifically supported theory, it represents historical attempts to understand the unique qualities of life.

While vitalism as a scientific theory has faded, the quest to fully understand the complexity of life continues to evolve, with mechanism providing a powerful framework for exploration and discovery.

Vitalism views organisms as inherently different from non-living matter due to a vital force, while mechanism sees them as complex systems governed by physical and chemical laws.

Mechanism provides the scientific basis for biotechnological innovations, including genetic engineering and synthetic biology.