EvC Forum: What is Life?

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Topic: What is Life?

Jon

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Message 42 of 268 (587644)
10-19-2010 9:55 PM

Reply to: Message 1 by mosassam
09-02-2010 10:00 PM

Been There; Done That

At least one thread was already started, long ago, to deal with this same topic:

Definition of Life

Perhaps a review of that one would prevent the repetition of points already made?

Jon

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This message is a reply to:
	Message 1 by mosassam, posted 09-02-2010 10:00 PM		mosassam has not replied

Jon

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Message 90 of 268 (593095)
11-24-2010 10:09 AM

It is What we Make It

The importance of the differences between life and non-life is the same as the importance of the differences between a rock and a mountain. And where does a rock begin and a mountain end? Is it important to anyone but us?

Since we're the only ones using the definition, it's probably best we just make one up; afterall, there will certainly be none discovered within nature herself.

If we count it as life, then it is life. How could it be any other way?

Jon

Check out Apollo's Temple!
Ignorance is temporary; you should be able to overcome it. - nwr

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	Message 91 by Dr Adequate, posted 11-24-2010 10:54 AM		Jon has replied

Jon

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Message 96 of 268 (593208)
11-25-2010 2:33 AM

Reply to: Message 91 by Dr Adequate
11-24-2010 10:54 AM

Re: It is What we Make It

A bacterium doesn't just have more of some quality than (for example) a grain of sand. It has different qualities.

If you say so.

Jon

Check out Apollo's Temple!
Ignorance is temporary; you should be able to overcome it. - nwr

This message is a reply to:
	Message 91 by Dr Adequate, posted 11-24-2010 10:54 AM		Dr Adequate has replied

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	Message 97 by Dr Adequate, posted 11-25-2010 8:04 AM		Jon has replied

Jon

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Message 99 of 268 (593229)
11-25-2010 11:17 AM

Reply to: Message 97 by Dr Adequate
11-25-2010 8:04 AM

Re: It is What we Make It

quote:
Adequate in Message 91:

A bacterium doesn't just have more of some quality than (for example) a grain of sand. It has different qualities.

Jon writes:

If you say so.

Do you disagree? Otherwise we could both say so.

It doesn't matter. They are obviously different; but so is anything that is different. Their differences aren't important, however, to anyone but us. Our agreement would not change reality; I see no reason to comment on that issue.

Jon

Check out Apollo's Temple!
Ignorance is temporary; you should be able to overcome it. - nwr

This message is a reply to:
	Message 97 by Dr Adequate, posted 11-25-2010 8:04 AM		Dr Adequate has replied

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	Message 100 by Dr Adequate, posted 11-25-2010 11:27 AM		Jon has replied

Jon

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Message 101 of 268 (593243)
11-25-2010 2:02 PM

Reply to: Message 100 by Dr Adequate
11-25-2010 11:27 AM

Re: It is What we Make It

Oh, you could say that of anything. But I shall still go on using different nouns for different things.

Good; that's probably the smart thing to do.

Yes, but quantitative and qualitative differences are also different.

A difference is a difference. Our distinction of different differences is our own.

Jon

Check out Apollo's Temple!
Ignorance is temporary; you should be able to overcome it. - nwr

This message is a reply to:
	Message 100 by Dr Adequate, posted 11-25-2010 11:27 AM		Dr Adequate has not replied

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