Chemism

Chemism refers to the theoretical or hypothesized sensitivity and responsiveness of inanimate matter to chemical or electrochemical forces. It posits a type of primitive "irritability" or reactivity in non-living substances, akin to the way living organisms respond to stimuli.

The concept of chemism has historically been associated with attempts to bridge the gap between the living and non-living worlds, often seeking to understand the origins of life by exploring the potential for complex, self-organizing behaviors in chemical systems. Early proponents believed that by studying chemical reactions and interactions, particularly electrochemical processes, they could uncover the fundamental principles underlying biological phenomena.

Chemism differs from standard chemical reactivity in that it emphasizes a more dynamic and potentially self-regulating responsiveness to external influences, suggesting a level of complexity beyond simple cause-and-effect interactions. However, the idea of chemism as a distinct property of matter is largely outdated and lacks strong scientific support. Modern science explains the complexity of biological systems through the specific organization and interactions of molecules governed by the established laws of physics and chemistry, without invoking any special property like "chemism." While chemical gradients and electrochemical potentials are vital to biological processes, they are understood within the framework of conventional chemistry, not as evidence of inherent "sensitivity" in inanimate matter. The term is primarily encountered in historical contexts related to the history of biology and biogenesis research.