The Vital Force Theory

The Vital Force Theory is an old idea suggesting that living beings possess a special, invisible "vital force" that distinguishes them from non-living objects. According to this theory, this force is responsible for life functions like growth and reproduction. It implies that living things cannot be fully explained by physical or chemical processes alone, as they require this unique vitality. Although scientific understanding has advanced beyond this concept, the theory helped shape early beliefs about what makes living organisms fundamentally different from inanimate matter.