alivecomprising

Alivecomprising is a neologism used to describe systems in which living processes are integrated into the very composition of the whole. The term suggests that life is not merely contained within a component but is a property of the system as a whole, arising from the arrangement and interaction of its parts. Because it is a relatively new and informal term, alivecomprising has appeared in discussions across synthetic biology, artificial life, and philosophy of biology rather than in formal taxonomy.

The word is formed from alive and comprising, and is used as an adjective or noun in speculative contexts. Its definitions vary, but a common reading is that a system is alivecomprising when self-maintaining, adaptable, and capable of emergent behavior are intrinsic outcomes of the system's organization, rather than features that can be attributed solely to individual components.

In practice, alivecomprising can describe living organisms and ecosystems, as well as techno-biological hybrids that include both organic and engineered elements. It is sometimes invoked in debates about what it means for a system to be alive and how life-like properties can emerge from complex interdependencies, feedback loops, and open-ended evolution.

Critics note that the term can be vague and anthropomorphic, risking confusion with established concepts such as autopoiesis or living systems. Proponents argue that it highlights a holistic perspective on life as a property of arrangement rather than of singular units.

Related ideas include autopoiesis, open-ended evolution, complex adaptive systems, artificial life, and living systems theory.