Are there evolutionary reasons for reproduction?

You need to go further back than thinking about cells reproducing. You need to go back to replicating molecules that replicate as a result of chemistry where some molecules bond with others and so on and so forth.Don't get stuck on thinking about modern cells. It's like asking how a nuclear reactor works without knowing about the basics of atomic physics.Evolution does not deal with origins of lief, either.

I think the thing to remember is that chemical reactions occur.There for, replicating molecules (which are chemical reactions) replicate because of the physical properties our universe has.Just like 0 degrees C is the triple point of water: that is the way H20 behaves.There is no 'advantage' to the environment when water melts or freezes or evaporates. The only thing that happens is the 'normal' behaviour of atoms and molecules.Replicators replicate because of the physical properties they have: extraneous entities need not apply.ABE: As Wounded points out: it's not a closed system.Edited by Larni, : Last sentence