defineLife

defineLife is a conceptual framework and ongoing project that explores the fundamental question of what constitutes "life." It seeks to establish a clear, measurable, and universally applicable definition of life, moving beyond traditional biological perspectives that often rely on observable characteristics like reproduction or metabolism. The project aims to synthesize insights from various scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and philosophy, to create a comprehensive understanding.

The core of defineLife's approach involves identifying essential criteria that are not dependent on specific biological mechanisms. This includes exploring concepts such as self-organization, information processing, evolutionary potential, and resilience in the face of environmental change. The project acknowledges that life can manifest in diverse forms, potentially extending beyond carbon-based organisms on Earth, and aims to provide a definition that could encompass artificial life, extraterrestrial life, or other emergent phenomena.

defineLife is not a static definition but rather an evolving model. Through open collaboration and the development of computational tools and simulations, the project invites researchers and the public to contribute to its refinement. The ultimate goal is to foster a deeper understanding of life's fundamental principles, which could have implications for fields ranging from astrobiology and synthetic biology to artificial intelligence and the search for meaning.