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.
