About Various Definitions of Life
Abstract
The old question of a definition of minimal life is taken up again at the aim of providing a forum for an updated discussion. Briefly discussed are the reasons why such an attempt has previously encountered scepticism, and why such an attempt should be renewed at this stage of the inquiry on the origin of life. Then some of the definitions of life presently used are cited and briefly discussed, starting with the definition adopted by NASA as a general working definition. It is shown that this is too limited if one wishes to provide a broad encompassing definition, and some extensions of it are presented and discussed. Finally it is shown how the different definitions of life reflect the main schools of thought that presently dominate the field on the origin of life.
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Our current understanding of life's origin suggests that there were intermediate states through which all forms of life must emerge.
“Our current understanding of life's origin suggests that there were intermediate states through which all forms of life must emerge (Fry, 1995; Luisi, 1998; Perry and Kolb, 2004).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Luisi, 1998
The Joyce (1994) definition gives a useful way to identify candidate life-forms but requires that the life-form be verified by clear evidence of evolution.
“But while the Joyce (1994) definition gives us a useful way to identify candidate life-forms, it also requires that the life-form be verified by no less than clear evidence of evolution (Luisi, 1998; Cleland and Chyba, 2002).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Luisi, 1998
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A Universal Definition of Life: Autonomy and Open-Ended Evolution
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Toward the engineering of minimal living cells
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“Our current understanding of life’s origin suggests that there were intermediate states through which all forms of life must emerge (Fry, 1995; Luisi, 1998; Perry and Kolb, 2004).”
The emergence of life on Earth
Lahav, N., Nir, S., & Elitzur, A. C. (2001) · Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology · doi:10.1016/s0079-6107(01)00003-7 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
What Is Life?: A Brief Historical Overview
Lazcano, A. (2008) · Chemistry & Biodiversity · doi:10.1002/cbdv.200890001 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
On the applicability of Darwinian principles to chemical evolution that led to life
Perry, R. S., & Kolb, V. M. (2004) · International Journal of Astrobiology · doi:10.1017/s1473550404001892 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
- Authors
- Luisi, P. L.
- Affiliations
- ETH Zurich (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Luisi, Pier Luigi
- Venue
- Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere
- Published
- 1998-10
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 4-6
- Pages
- 613-622
- ISSN
- 0169-6149 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-0875
- OpenAlex
- W2144406157
- Cited by
- 266
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 2.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- 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
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Keywords
- concept of life, origin of life, philosophy of biology
- MeSH terms
- Origin of Life, Biological Evolution, Models, Biological, Philosophy, United States, United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Exobiology, Life, History, 19th Century, History, 20th Century
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