élan vital
Quick Summary
The term "élan vital" (French for "vital impulse") is a philosophical concept introduced by Henri Bergson. It represents a creative life force that drives evolution and is inherent in all living organisms. Bergson, a Nobel Prize-winning philosopher, rejected static views of the world, emphasizing instead motion, change, and evolution.123
He proposed that the élan vital is a continuous, unpredictable force that interacts with matter, leading to the free emergence of individual intelligence and creativity, distinguishing it from deterministic or goal-oriented theories of evolution. This concept was central to his philosophy of process, which views reality as dynamic and ever-changing.23
It is important to note that "Elan Vital" is also the name of an international religious organization that teaches spiritual enlightenment through yoga and chanting, stemming from the Divine Light Mission.4
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Henri BergsonPhilosophical triumphs…as the endurance of an élan vital (“vital impulse”) that is continually developing and generating new forms. Evolution, in short, is creative, not mechanistic. (See creative evolution.)
Read More…as the endurance of an élan vital (“vital impulse”) that is continually developing and generating new forms. Evolution, in short, is creative, not mechanistic. (See creative evolution.)
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FranceCultural and scientific attainments…creative force that he called élan vital, which he held distinguishes heroic individuals and nations from the plodding herd.
Read More…creative force that he called élan vital, which he held distinguishes heroic individuals and nations from the plodding herd.
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philosophy of biologyVitalism and positivism…German biologist Hans Driesch (1867–1941)—or élan vital—introduced by the French philosopher Henri Bergson (1859–1941)—was widely accepted and became popular even outside academic circles. Ultimately, however, it fell out of favour, because it proved to have little direct scientific application. The difficulty was not that life force was not observable in…
Read More…German biologist Hans Driesch (1867–1941)—or élan vital—introduced by the French philosopher Henri Bergson (1859–1941)—was widely accepted and became popular even outside academic circles. Ultimately, however, it fell out of favour, because it proved to have little direct scientific application. The difficulty was not that life force was not observable in…
Read More