Vitalism and Energy Physics

As outlined in Chap. 2 , Hans Driesch presented a Kantian philosophy of nature with a particular focus on energy physics, centering his concern on the relationship between entelechy and energy. Regarding this relationship, Driesch emphasized three key points. First, he noted that every entelechy adhered to the principle of energy conservation, which he termed the first law of energetics. Second, he argued that an entelechy was not a form of energy specific to biological systems. Third, Driesch described an entelechy as influencing the inorganic realm by suspending energy transformation and transportation, akin to the role of Maxwell’s demon in mechanical systems. Now, this chapter demonstrates that understanding Driesch’s views on the relationship between entelechy and energy requires an examination of the development of energy physics in the nineteenth century and its impact on vitalism. Crucially, while the establishment of the principle of energy conservation did not eliminate vitalism, it significantly altered its manifestations after the mid-nineteenth century. This chapter first traces the development of energy physics in the nineteenth century, and then discusses how traditional vitalism was challenged from the standpoint of the conservation principle. Next, this chapter explores how late-nineteenth-century vitalists responded to this principle in two different manners, adopting either the doctrine of energetical vitalism or that of directive agency. Before concluding on vitalism and the logical nature of the conservation principle, this chapter briefly examines the fascinating case of mental energy, the social sciences equivalent of vital energy.