A person who opposes vitalism, the philosophical belief that living things are animated by a special vital force beyond physical and chemical processes.
From 'anti-' plus 'vitalist' (from Latin 'vitalis,' relating to life). The term emerged in 19th-century scientific debates about biology.
This represents a fascinating moment in science history—as chemistry and physics advanced, scientists realized they didn't need to invoke a magical 'life force' to explain living things, just complex chemistry.
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