The view that living systems are physically realized and do not require a separate nonphysical substance. This does not by itself settle which level of description provides the best scientific explanation.
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Physicalism is a philosophical theory that asserts that everything that exists is ultimately physical in nature, or can be understood in terms of physical processes and entities. It holds that all phenomena, including mental states, consciousness, and abstract concepts, can be explained by physical laws and interactions, and that there is nothing beyond the physical realm. There are several key aspects to physicalism: 1. **Reductionism:** Physicalism often involves the idea that higher-level phenomena can be reduced to lower-level physical facts.