I cannot say whether or not the scientific definition of life is complete. I cannot think of anything that I would add to the definition, but at the same time I wouldn't want to say that it is 100% complete.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Living Things
There are many reasons why I know that I am alive. From last week's lesson we learned that order, regulation, growth and development, energy usage, response to environment, reproduction and evolution are all properties of life. Before knowing this definition, I would have still recognized some of these properties as being reasons I know that I am living. To me, growth and development is the most obvious one. I know that I did not start out the way that I am today. Over time I grew from a baby to an adult as well as developed mentally. I also think that reproduction is a clear sign of humans being alive. I do not have any children, but I know that I am human and know that humans reproduce. This tells me that humans are living. Self awareness is also something that lets me know that I am living. Though this is a sign that I am living, I do not think that is should be added to the scientific definition of a living thing.
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This is a very interesting blog; I like your idea of self awareness it is very philosophical and reminds me of something that the philosopher Descartes would say (yes, I have been in a philosophy class :D). I agree that the scientific definition is not 100% complete.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the Blog question for this week I was really curious on how people were going to answer it. I really like how you tied it into your own life so simply that it made complete since. I also agree with your opinion that the definition isn't 100% complete, though I don't know why either. There's just too much out there to say its complete! =)
ReplyDeleteEveryone has a different definition for life, however they all are very similar for example, growth, movement, inhale/exhale, reproduce. They all have followed simple ideas that have been proven or what's available for our eyes to see. I liked how you expressed self awareness as part of any living thing. Interesting Blog!
ReplyDeleteI really like the interpretation you took on the blog topic this week. I agree there just is something missing from the scientific definition, but for being an overarching statement for life it does it's job. What we feel might be missing could very well be what we've experienced as humans that other living things don't get to experience.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on the fact that I have a mother who gave birth to me and my three siblings. That is an absolute reason on how I believe myself and others are alive. There are times when I am alone and I ponder this thought to myself at times. Look around us, there are billion reasons to believe that I am living. From not only human beings but plants and animals and plenty of other organisms that prove the existence of life on this planet and maybe even on another planet it seems all the arrows seem to be pointing that we all are.
ReplyDeleteI guess a better question might be how do we know we are alive compared to all of the other 1.7 million species out there.
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