The Nature of Life: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives from Philosophy and ScienceBringing together the latest scientific advances and some of the most enduring subtle philosophical puzzles and problems, this book collects original historical and contemporary sources to explore the wide range of issues surrounding the nature of life. Selections ranging from Aristotle and Descartes to Sagan and Dawkins are organised around four broad themes covering classical discussions of life, the origins and extent of natural life, contemporary artificial life creations and the definition and meaning of 'life' in its most general form. Each section is preceded by an extensive introduction connecting the various ideas discussed in individual chapters and providing helpful background material for understanding them. With its interdisciplinary perspective, this fascinating collection is essential reading for scientists and philosophers interested in astrobiology, synthetic biology and the philosophy of life. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Section II The origin and extent of natural life | 113 |
Section III Artificial life and synthetic biology | 217 |
Section IV Defining and explaining life | 295 |
Other editions - View all
The Nature of Life: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives from Philosophy ... Mark A. Bedau,Carol E. Cleland No preview available - 2010 |
The Nature of Life: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives from Philosophy ... Mark A. Bedau,Carol E. Cleland No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
A-life alive amino acids animals artificial atoms autocatalytic sets bacteria Bedau and C.E. behavior Benner biochemical biochemistry biologists biology biosphere body C.E. Cleland Cambridge University Press carbon causality chemical chemistry complex concept continuity thesis Darwin Darwinian define definition Earth Eigen emergence energy environment evolution evolutionary evolve example existence explain extraterrestrial functional genes genetic genome human idea kind laws liposomes living organisms living systems living things M.A. Bedau machine material matter mechanism metabolism microbes minimal cell molecular molecules mutation natural selection nucleic acids nucleobases objects Oparin origin phenomena philosophical physical planet polymers possible power of judgment prebiotic principle problem processes produce prokaryotes properties proteins question random reactions replication reproduce RNA world robots Santa Fe Institute scientific scientists sequences simulation specific structure supple adaptation synthesis synthetic biology teleological Terran theoretical theory thermodynamic tion understanding vesicles vital vitalists