Mechanists are individuals who believe that natural phenomena can be explained entirely through physical processes and laws. They view the universe as a complex machine, where every event is the result of interactions between matter and energy. This perspective emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry and rational thought in understanding the world. In philosophy, mechanists often contrast with vitalists, who argue that living organisms possess a unique life force. Notable mechanists include figures like René Descartes and Isaac Newton, who contributed significantly to the development of mechanistic theories in science, laying the groundwork for modern physics and biology.