Question to all Murcers - What is the (scientific) definition of life ?

[Dogbert]

Essence isn't scientific. When you'll be able to define is, measure it and locate it, I'll accept it.

[Admiral]

So the inquisition of religion has been replaced with the inquisition of science.
As paradoxal as some of you might see it I belive the two interact. Through science humans try to discover the meaning of life in the physical world, from the physical perspective (material) while religion focuses on the spiritual (energy) realm.
Who is to say that one day we won't discover through science what religion's been telling us for so long.

Science and religion complement each other, that is why you won't ever find a pure scientific definiton of life.

[mdhome]

OK, lets just suppose that life is caused by (hypothetically speaking) the interraction between our 3rd dimensional universe with (lets say) the 8th,9th,10th or 11th dimensions . We are not always able to see or measure these dimensions but we can see some of their effects. Using simple parameters that we can relate to may not be the answer.

As you can gather, I am not sure that we can define what we dont really understand


REgards Michael

[mutz]

...an algorithmic definition in four days. We'd better get moving!

For starters, we'll need NSA and United Devices just for R&D.

For testing, hmmm, oh yeah! The Galacteotinians have some pretty cool computers (space cooling is vastly superior to watercooling). I think they'll be in this sector this week. Somebody want to check that out?

Who's got some weapons to threaten the Earth with? They're not going to just hand over NSA and UD just on a sixteen carbon-copied request!

No problen with the Galacteotiniens, they'll just tag along for the amusement. No, they gave up weapons eons ago as a waste of money.

So, who's gonna do what?

[Dogbert]

mdhome, you make me think about lousy construction workers.
You give them tools yet they refuse to work while filling your head with nonsense about other tools and machines and miractles and rubbish.

The question is definition of life. The tool is science. I know thousands of excuses for why it can't be done. I don't care the least about those.
Either participate in the project with the given tools or stay out of it.

I DO NOT CARE FOR RELIGION IN THIS SUBJECT, ALL I CARE ABOUT IS S-C-I-E-N-C-E ! ! !

[Dogbert]

mutz, it should be quite simple.

For example, we take a parameter like reproduction. We do know that crysals and fire "reproduce", it's just half a problem. The big issue is whether we know a life form which DOESN'T reproduce ?

If not, reproduction is a non-single parameter that decides whether something is alive or not. If it reproduces, it *might* be alive, if not, it's *certainly* not alive.
This is what I'm looking for. A combination of parameters that shows the difference between living and non living stuff.

It's not THAT complicated. Sheesh...

[mutz]

...chuckle, don't think he's gonna make it to Yom Kippur. He's breaking under the pressure already...

[Dogbert]

Pressure is one thing, I manage pressure quite well. Imbacillity on the other hand

This is why when I have a job to do with other people, usually I finish it faster and much better all by myself.

[Admiral]

He might be trying to play God on a computer and needs the algorithms to program us

(remember the heretic thread when he thought he was God ? )

[Dogbert]

That wasn't me. That was Tony Andrews.

[Admiral]

"All bow before the mighty Dogbert" or something (with the big pic and all) ?

(got to search for the name of that thread)

[Dogbert]

King, not god, KING !

[mutz]

...I'd throw out crystals on the basis that they are the product of chemical/physical interaction, growth of matter, but not reproduction. Reproduction may not be confused with duplication.

Fire goes as it is the product of the interaction of instable matter taking release through an energy vector. Although taking release through an energy vector might be a sign of life as you have heretofore demonstrated...

[Dogbert]

Do we know any living thing that doesn't reproduce ?

[GNEP]

Computer programmers?