IS THE NATURE OF LIFE UNKNOWN? PREDICTIONS IN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AND DEFINING LIFE
IS THE NATURE OF LIFE UNKNOWN? PREDICTIONS IN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AND DEFINING LIFE

Summary/Abstract: Some biologists and philosophers are convinced that no definition of life can be formulated. I polemicize with this skepticism. Especially, I discuss the argumentation of Carol E. Cleland and her co-workers. I demonstrate that the theory of evolution is a proper theoretical foundation for defining life. I show that downgrading the impor-tance of the theory of evolution is not based on the traditional arguments against the scientific character of this theory (e.g. Popper’s argument). New arguments are de-duced from the belief that every mature theory of life should explain all forms of life. I also consider conclusions derived from my analysis, showing that they lead to a func-tionalist view of life.

• Details
• Contents