— vitalist , n. , adj. — vitalistic , adj. — vitalistically , adv.
/vuyt"l iz'euhm/
1. the doctrine that phenomena are only partly controlled by mechanical forces, and are in some measure self-determining. Cf. dynamism (def. 1), mechanism (def. 8).
2. Biol. a doctrine that ascribes the functions of a living organism to a vital principle distinct from chemical and physical forces.
[ 1815-25; VITAL + -ISM ]