AP Biology Challenge Question about Vitalism?

Question

I'm having trouble answering this questions. Can someone please help me?

Vitalism is the belief that life possesses supernatural forces that cannot be explained by physical and chemical properties. explain why the concept of emergent properties does not lend credibility to vitalism?

Answer 1

Well emergent properties often provide a rebuttal in the form of proof gainst vitalism--like for instance the emergence of the microscope which discredited the belief in medicince in the 1500's that the germ was mystical and inexpicable. Think about it his way, just because there is no cure for AIDS doesnt mean it mystical. It just mean thats there's no evidence at this current time to prove that there is a treatment that leads to a cure. Vitalism is just a cop out for what hasn't been physiochemically proven.

Answer 2

Let's take a look at consciousness. It could be considered an emergent property. Individual neurons can only receive neurotransmitters and depolarize, in addition to normal cell functions. Even huge numbers in culture can't think. Inside a human, or any other animal for that matter, complex behaviors and eventually consciousness can arise.

Take, for example, brain damage. Consciousness is an extremely fragile thing. While it transcends the function of neurons (which could be an argument for vitalism) damage to those neurons can cause alterations in consciousness. People who have undergone lobotomies have sometimes come out with a completely different personality. Sometimes they have angry outbursts, sometimes they are lethargic, and sometimes there is severe congnitive damage. Often times, a very specific kind of brain injury can produce a specific and predictable change in personality and cognitive ability.

If a supernatural force, separate from the physical, was the true motiviation behind consciousness, it would follow that physical changes to the body would not affect the supernaturally-derived consciousness or personality.