by Don Kaiser
THE SOLE CHARACTERISTIC that ultimately distinguishes living from non-living matter is classical Darwinian evolution. Life is simply matter that evolves.
A simple analysis of the definition of life leads to the conclusion that living matter is inanimate matter that evolves. Evolution is the sole feature that differentiates living matter from non-living matter.
Consider a definition of life from the old college days:
Life is the property of a highly organized molecular complex, the stability of which is maintained by its constant utilization of energy.
It seems a bit flowery, so to simplify:
Life is organized matter self-maintained by energy utilization….
Energy utilization is essential to maintain the stability of life forms because, without it, life forms are very unstable and decompose into non-living matter. In fact, life forms are so unstable that, even with energy utilization, they all eventually die….
Does the Definition Exclude All Non-Living Matter?
There are many examples of non-living matter maintained by their utilization of energy. Some examples are waterfalls, volcanoes, hurricanes, and stars. So, a definition of life requires something more to exclude such non-living matter. Adding something about reproduction might help:
Life is organized matter self-maintained by energy utilization and a process that reproduces its structure for self-maintained energy utilization in the future….
By specifying that life must include a reproductive process, inanimate matter like waterfalls and hurricanes are excluded. However, some scientists might argue rather convincingly that stars reproduce. To eliminate stars as living matter, a process that more faithfully reproduces itself could be added:
Life is organized matter self-maintained by energy utilization and a process that accurately reproduces its structure for self-maintained energy utilization in the future.
This simple definition seems to eliminate stars and other forms of inanimate matter. Specifying a nucleic acid-based reproductive mechanism rather than just a reproductive process would accurately define all of the known forms of life. But the general definition above allows for the possibility of other hypothesized mechanisms such as those based on lipids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or polyphosphates.
Perfect Clones Can’t Cut It.
Any life form with a reproductive process that creates an exact copy or a perfect clone of itself would satisfy the requirement of a process that accurately reproduces itself. Such a process would always produce the same exact structure and function for energy utilization and self-maintenance in a given environment. However, in a changed environment, functional energy utilization and self-maintenance might benefit from, or even require, new structure(s).
Every Environment Changes With Time.
In order for a life form to persist through time, it must have a mechanism that provides for structural changes to function in a changed environment. Some life forms can produce exact copies or perfect clones, but most importantly, they also provide mechanisms for introducing structural changes by mutation or recombination. No life forms exist that cannot provide such changes. So, the definition of life becomes:
Life is organized matter self-maintained by energy utilization and a process that accurately reproduces its general organizational structure with a mechanism that allows for structural changes to utilize energy for self-maintenance in a changed environment.
Based on this definition of life, the sole characteristic that distinguishes living from non-living matter is a reproductive mechanism that allows for structural changes to utilize energy for self-maintenance in a changed environment.
Adaptation is Essential.
When successful structural changes to utilize energy for self-maintenance in a changed environment are produced, adaptation is said to occur. Over time, with continuously changing environments and adaptations, life forms undergo natural selection and classical Darwinian evolution. Thus, for periods of time exceeding the lifespans of individuals, the sole characteristic that distinguishes living and non-living matter is the process of Darwinian evolution. So, what is life?
Life is matter that evolves.
Most fundamentally, the definition becomes:
Life is evolution.
The two are inseparable. Given the fact that all life forms die, how do they persist through time and changing environments? Every environment harboring life forms must change, simply because of their existence, so evolution is the only way life forms can persist through time. Not only did Charles Darwin discover what makes life possible despite the fact that all life forms eventually die, he unwittingly discovered the sole feature that distinguishes living from non-living matter. Charles Darwin defined life.
Life is Evolution.
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Sources:
Goode, M. Dennis, biophysics course, 1974, Department of Zoology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Dawkins, Richard, The Selfish Gene. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1976. ISBN 0-19-286092-5.
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I appreciate you spreading around my thesis that “life is evolution” but it’s funny how my original work sort of gets misrepresented with the new figure you attached to it. Although it’s probably somewhat naive of me to think that my article could actually win-over any of the Darwin haters out there, this was in fact, one of my intentions. However, you obviously make my article appear much more inflammatory and polarizing in that regard. Although I’m not certain how it will play out, I currently consider it unfortunate. But thanks anyway for re-publishing my article in your magazine. There can be no doubt that for periods of time exceeding the lifespans of individuals, the only thing that distinguishes living from non-living matter is Darwinian evolution. In the long run, life is simply matter that evolves. I think it’s quite inspiring.
Please see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reproduction#Same-sex_reproduction
Please see the Wikipedia article on “Reproduction” for a discussion of sexual and asexual reproduction.
One of the best pieces I have ever read — reveals the true nature of life; what it really is. No one ever did that for me before.