Vocabulary of Definitions of Life Suggests a Definition
@article{Trifonov2011VocabularyOD,
title={Vocabulary of Definitions of Life Suggests a Definition},
author={Edward N. Trifonov},
journal={Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics},
year={2011},
volume={29},
pages={259 - 266}
}Abstract Analysis of the vocabulary of 123 tabulated definitions of life reveals nine groups of defining terms (definientia) of which the groups (self-)reproduction and evolution (variation) appear as the minimal set for a concise and inclusive definition: Life is self-reproduction with variations.
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136 Citations
The Complexity of Life: Can Life be Simply Defined?
- Medicine, ChemistryJournal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
- 2012
While the terms underpinning the definition clearly provide a reasonable characterization of Life, there appears to be a lack of certain key elements of what “Life” embodies.
Merits and Caveats of Using A Vocabulary Approach to Define Life
- Computer Science, MedicineJournal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
- 2012
The method proposed by Edward Trifonov to define life is a minimalist vocabularybased screening, combined with a personal interpretation of the meaning of the findings, which is consistent with the requirements listed above, and what novelties it introduces in the understanding of life.
The Definition of Life and the Life of a Definition
- Computer Science, MedicineJournal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
- 2012
In retrospect, it seems that science has advanced not by purifying the essence of objects, whether natural or conceptual, but by adopting the idea of measurement/definition as producing a novel object of contemplation and pragmatically proving the benefits of this new measurement/ definition.
Defining Life as a Non-Essentialist Natural Kind
- 2019
Abstract: The increasing number of proposals to define the concept of life in biology has led some authors to consider this task useless and without sense. All sceptics base their argument on the…
A Conversation on Definition of Life
- Sociology, MedicineJournal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
- 2012
“I happen to disagree with Edward Trifonov, and yet I strongly recommend the publication of his paper. The reason is that the definition of life is an extremely important issue but also one where…
Classifying the Properties of Life
- MedicineJournal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
- 2012
Analyzing from a linguistic and reasoning perspective the method used, showing the logic and semantic properties of the definitory elements, and the possible implications and purposes of the different definitional structures is aimed at.
A Minimal or Concise Set of Definition of Life is Not Useful
- Computer Science, MedicineJournal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
- 2012
Though undoubtedly “concise” enough, the definition has no bearings on the origin of life, and ignored the myriad of possible transitions from a collection of abiotic chemical reactions to a form that could be subjected to Darwinian selection.
Definition by Means of Indefiniteness
- Computer Science, MedicineJournal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
- 2012
In a recent paper, Edward N. Trifonov tries to find features of life with a “word count” approach, but this work is akin to publications that analyze sets of published definitions, but it differs from them in its level of generalization.
Is defining life pointless? Operational definitions at the frontiers of biology
- Computer Science, BiologySynthese
- 2017
It is argued that critically rethinking the nature and uses of definitions can provide new insights into the epistemic roles of definitions of life for different research practices, and the pragmatic utility of what are called operational definitions that serve as theoretical and epistemic tools in scientific practice.
Towards an ethics of life
- Sociology
- 2016
Abstract In the broad context of intergenerational justice, this paper is an effort towards developing a theory of an ethics of life. My thesis is that that continuity of life is the foundation for…
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