Definitely Life but not Definitively
Open accessAbstract
Although there have been attempts at a definition of life from many disciplines, none is accepted by all as definitive. Some people believe that it is impossible to define 'life' adequately at the moment. We agree with this point of view on linguistic grounds, examining the different types of definition, the contexts in which they are used and their relative usefulness as aids to arriving at a scientific definition of life. We look at some of the more recent definitions and analyse them in the light of our criteria for a good definition. We argue that since there are so many linguistic and philosophical difficulties with such a definition of life, what is needed is a series of working descriptions, which are suited to the audience and context in which they are used and useful for the intended purpose. We provide some ideas and examples of the forms these may take.
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Cites
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Research works printed but not linked: 13
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“If these criteria are satisfied, the definition will be a useful guide in the search for life on other worlds and the study of its origin here on Earth (Ruiz-Mirazo et al., 2004; Oliver and Perry, 2006).”
What Is Life?: A Brief Historical Overview
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- Authors
- Oliver, J. D., & Perry, R. S.
- Affiliations
- Planetary Science Institute (US)
- Corresponding author
- Oliver, Joan D.
- Perry, Randall S.
- Venue
- Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres
- Published
- 2006-11-22
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 5-6
- Pages
- 515-521
- ISSN
- 0169-6149 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-0875
- OpenAlex
- W2089819406
- Cited by
- 46
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 1.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy and History of Science
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Philosophical and Cultural Analysis
- Keywords
- concept of life, scientific definitions, philosophy of biology, origin of life
- MeSH terms
- Origin of Life, Terminology as Topic, Exobiology, Life
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