The definition of life is often defined differently, depending on who you speek to. I myself learnt the deffinition of life to be "The ability to reproduce natuarly and respond to stimulation." In this sense, I am alive in the fact that I can reproduce naturualy with a female of the human species without any outside help. But does this mean machine can one day become "living?" Yes, entirely. If the machine can synthesize molecular compounds without exterior resources or interference, and sitll respond to stimulation, then yes it is living.
Does this definition scientificly encompass all living things? I believe so. I don't think it requires anything other then those two simple things. Birds reproduce and respond to stimulus. Humans reproduce and respond to stimulus. Plants even reproduce and respond to stimulus. Even cells reproduce and respond to stimulus, and cells are considered the most basic forms of life. It fits perfectly.
Do we have to be able to talk to be alive? No, but it certainly helps us who have been taught to speak. Animals do just fine without speaking words, and they are generally accepted as living creatures. Plants do great without a single word. Heck even single celled organisms do just fine.
But then what is defined as stimulation? Heat, energy, food? Yes. They are all stimulation. Stimulation is the introduction of something foreign. Food is from another plant, animal, or source. Water is foreign, we don't make it ourselves. Heat is foreign, it's made by different sources. Yet we respond to all of them. Heat makes us feel something is there. Food is digested and turned into energy. Water is absorbed and used to create and maintain equalibrium(s).
So reproduction would be needed too? What if an animal is sterile? Is it alive? Yes. It's cells are reproducing so it can grow and maintain itself. Remember, animals are nothing more the a collection of living cells.
So does this deffinition need anything else? Well to other people it might, but to me, it is complete in it's entirety.
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4 comments:
great post, I really enjoy reading your comments!
Your post shows real insight. It is fantastic. I don't think I have ever seen a student cover this topic so completely before. I guess then you would feel that the list in the book is a bit inadequate in how is describes life!
I really enjoyed reading your post. you are very good at describing what you mean and are very thorough!
Wow, I like the idea of exploring if a machine can become capable of reproducing. SO wouldnt that mean if a machine is built, and its purpose is to make new machines, wouldnt that mean it is technically reproducing? Im sure this is way off topic but it is interesting to me. Good blog all together.
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