Publisher's Synopsis
The Mystery of Life is an essay written by Lionel Smith Beale in response to Dr. Gull's attack on the theory of vitality in his Harveian Oration for 1870. Published in 1871, the book delves into the concept of vitalism, which argues that living organisms possess a unique life force that cannot be explained by physical and chemical processes alone. Beale argues that this life force, or vital principle, is essential for the proper functioning of living organisms and cannot be reduced to mere mechanical or chemical reactions. He also discusses the limitations of scientific knowledge in understanding the mysteries of life and the importance of acknowledging the role of the unknown in scientific inquiry. The book is a fascinating exploration of the philosophical and scientific debates surrounding the nature of life and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of biology and the philosophy of science.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
