What was Wilhelm Ostwald’s energetic imperative?

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Wilhelm Ostwald’s "energetic imperative" was a personal and philosophical guiding principle expressed as: "Do not squander energy—utilize it!"1

Driven by his belief in energetics—a worldview asserting the primacy of energy over matter—Ostwald applied this imperative to both his personal life and broader social concerns. Because he held strong utilitarian views regarding science, he viewed any barrier to scientific progress as a wasteful squandering of "social energy."1

Consequently, this principle motivated his extensive efforts as a reformer. Following his retirement from the University of Leipzig, he dedicated himself to improving scientific organization, promoting international standardization, and supporting the international peace movement, as he believed both war and traditional religious practices were significant sources of energy waste.1