Also called Od and Odyle, Odic force is the hypothetical vital energy or life force that permeates all living plants, animals, and humans. It was one of many proto-scientific efforts in the early nineteenth century towards the establishment of a unified theory of vitalism.
Baron Carl Reichenbach develops the conception in his Researches on Magnetism, Electricity, Heat and Light in their relations to Vital Forces. Von Reichenbach purported, among other things, that this Odic Force had a positive and negative flux, and a light and dark side. Individuals thought to be strong in the force could emanate it particularly from the hands, mouth, and forehead. Reichenbach hoped to develop a scientific proof for a universal life force, but since his experiments relied on psychically sensitive and psycho-kinetically adept individuals, it never acquired currency in the general scientific community.
Renewed interest in the theory within new age and paranormal communities has arisen at the same time as the popularization of George Lucas' fictional Force in the Star Wars series to which the Odic Force is an unmistakable antecedent.
Baron von Reichenbach was elsewhere an accomplished chemist best known for his discovery of kerosene and paraffins, which have proven critical in fueling the jet age.
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