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January 11, 2012
"Life" in 3 Words
Trifanov analyzed the linguistic structure of 150 definitions of life,grouping similar words into categories. He found that he could sum up what they all have in common in three words. Life, Trifonov declares, is simply self-reproduction with variations. -- Can A Scientist Define "Life"? By Carl Zimmer | Txchnologist
Posted by gerardvanderleun at January 11, 2012 6:51 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
I've read that for Earth to get to it's present state - i.e. with enough heavy elements - that multiple generations of stars must have been born, burned (lived?), and died out. Are stars alive? Maybe they don't fit the rule because they don't actually self-reproduce, some other external force is required.
Posted by: Monty at January 12, 2012 11:29 AM
I would say the definition is lacking since internet viruses & worms fit that definition. In Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything." where he asks this question of leading scientists, the conclusion is that we're not real sure, but that all life is cellular, carbon-based, an self-reproduces. Interconnectedness is mentioned as well, though I can't recall if it is a requirement. If the definition of life includes self-reproduction then it cannot possibly spontaneously come into existence, since it must come from itself. This, to me, is a simple and profound proof of the existence of God.
Posted by: Monty at January 12, 2012 11:49 AM