What is the definition of life?

[Qre:us]

I guess we can go into the 'meaning of life', but, I'm trying to gauge a more basic question (thus, applicable to all living things, not just humans). What is an universal definition of life? When is life, life? What properties should be inherent to classify X as being alive?

{there is no one agreed-upon definition as of yet, btw}

PS - I think this was posted in the wrong section, more applicable to the Science & Tech, or Philosophy? I'll let the admins decide.

 

[ThatsWhatHeSaid]

Philosophy.

I tend to see a difference between things that have experience, and things that don't. A creature does, a chair does not.

 

[Lexicon]

How to Define Life

The above article defines it to the best of my comprehension.

 

[Qre:us]

Thanks, Mr. Gentle-wet-drops-on-a-bamboo-stick. So many dirty jokes (must refrain).

It begs the question then: what constitutes experience? Should the experience be experienced (consciously logged)?

 

[Lexicon]

Thanks, Mr. Gentle-wet-drops-on-a-bamboo-stick. So many dirty jokes (must refrain).

It begs the question then: what constitutes experience? Should the experience be experienced (consciously logged)?

That's getting more into sentience as a characteristic of life, isn't it..?
Plants cannot, to our knowledge, perceive or feel things subjectively.. however we acknowledge them as life forms...

 

[Qre:us]

How to Define Life

The above article defines it to the best of my comprehension.

Using the above list, a question: Are viruses alive?

 

[Qre:us]

That's getting more into sentience as a characteristic of life, isn't it..?
Plants cannot, to our knowledge, perceive or feel things subjectively.. however we acknowledge them as life forms...

Yeah, sentience have been a big issue in this debate. Esp. when applied to fetus and the definiton of life. I agree though that sentience is not necessary to define life.

 

[ThatsWhatHeSaid]

Thanks, Mr. Gentle-wet-drops-on-a-bamboo-stick. So many dirty jokes (must refrain).

It begs the question then: what constitutes experience? Should the experience be experienced (consciously logged)?

I've never been a bacteria (thought women have called me a parasite at times) but I imagine they don't have experience. Experience/consciousness is a magical thing that happens with the help of a brain. It's the picture you're looking at right now, and the sound of sounds you hear.

Your second question is really about convention, since you're asking about what a word means. You can say consciousness is a requirement, but I think the way the concept of "life" is usually understood, awareness of experience is not a requirement. If it was, you would end up saying that a dog does not qualify as being alive (possessing life) and that sounds strange.

 

[Lexicon]

Using the above list, a question: Are viruses alive?

I'm not sure. Generally they aren't classed as organisms because they lack cell membranes.. don't metabolize, etc... it's debated in the world of microbiology as far as I know. I'm outta my element, here. <---Not a science major..

 

[ThatsWhatHeSaid]

Esp. when applied to fetus and the definiton of life.

It's interesting. I think the people who get engrossed in the "when does life begin" debate are really missing the point. Definitions are created by convention, so you can never beat another person. The question is really how to treat a creature that is at a certain age, not how to define it. It's kinda funny, actually, that people need to categorize things into a protectable class before saying it has rights and values.

 

[Lexicon]

I've never been a bacteria (thought women have called me a parasite at times) but I imagine they don't have experience. Experience/consciousness is a magical thing that happens with the help of a brain. It's the picture you're looking at right now, and the sound of sounds you hear.

Your second question is really about convention, since you're asking about what a word means. You can say consciousness is a requirement, but I think the way the concept of "life" is usually understood, awareness of experience is not a requirement. If it was, you would end up saying that a dog does not qualify as being alive (possessing life) and that sounds strange.

pfffft. Dogs aren't alive.
They're totally artificial.

 

[ThatsWhatHeSaid]

pfffft. Dogs aren't alive.
They're totally artificial.

Like INTJs?

 

[Lexicon]

Like INTJs?

Ehhh INTJs are organic, all right.
I prefer to believe that INTJs just evolved beyond emotion.

Not quite like dogs..

 

[Qre:us]

I prefer to believe that INTJs just evolved beyond emotion.

Or...stunted growth.

 

[Qre:us]

I'm not sure. Generally they aren't classed as organisms because they lack cell membranes.. don't metabolize, etc...

They don't metabolize, but, they 'use material and metabolism' of their host.

it's debated in the world of microbiology as far as I know. I'm outta my element, here. <---Not a science major..

Fake it like you can make it.

 

[Lexicon]

They don't metabolize, but, they 'use material and metabolism' of their host.



Fake it like you can make it.

I don't believe in faking it.

 

[Qre:us]

The question is really how to treat a creature that is at a certain age, not how to define it. It's kinda funny, actually, that people need to categorize things into a protectable class before saying it has rights and values.

But, the 'certain age' criteria will have to fall back into a particular categorization of age, no? And justification of why. And, thus, what is the beginning - when does age 0 start? And, if categorized as age 0, does that inherently assume it to be 'alive' from then on? We can't help but fall prey to the traps & limits of categorization.

 

[Qre:us]

I don't believe in faking it.

Harry doubted Sally too, when Harry met Sally.

 

[Anja]

Intriquing question and I won't attempt to answer it from an INFP perspective. But I have a comment.

I heard this week on the radio that a physician performing an abortion had delivered a living embryo and had disposed of it in the trash where it was discovered much to people's outrage.

There is so much irony in this announcement that I don't know where to begin. The news labled it a "living baby."

I thought, "When are we going to make up our minds?"

 

[Lexicon]

Intriquing question and I won't attempt to answer it from an INFP perspective. But I have a comment.

I heard this week on the radio that a physician performing an abortion had delivered a living embryo and had disposed of it in the trash where it was discovered much to people's outrage.

There is so much irony in this announcement that I don't know where to begin. The news labled it a "living baby."

I thought, "When are we going to make up our minds?"

I have to ask... out of sheer dumb, morbid curiousity...
was it.. like.. moving around.. in the trash can??