Bich, Leonardo and Green, Sara (2016) Is defining life pointless? Operational definitions at the frontiers of Biology. Synthese. ISSN 1573-0964

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Abstract

Despite numerous and increasing attempts to define what life is, there is no consensus on necessary and sufficient conditions for life. Accordingly, some scholars have questioned the value of definitions of life and encouraged scientists and philosophers alike to discard the project. As an alternative to this pessimistic conclusion, we argue 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. This paper examines the possible contributions of definitions of life in scientific domains where such definitions are used most (e.g., Synthetic Biology, Origins of Life, Alife, and Astrobiology). Rather than as classificatory tools for demarcation of natural kinds, we highlight the pragmatic utility of what we call operational definitions that serve as theoretical and epistemic tools in scientific practice. In particular, we examine contexts where definitions integrate criteria for life into theoretical models that involve or enable observable operations. We show how these definitions of life play important roles in influencing research agendas and evaluating results, and we argue that to discard the project of defining life is neither sufficiently motivated, nor possible without dismissing important theoretical and practical research.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Bich, Leonardo leonardo.bich@ehu.es 0000-0002-2416-112X Green, Sara saraehrenreichgreen@gmail.com
Keywords:	Definitions of Life; Integration; Origin of Life, Artificial Life; Synthetic Biology; Astrobiology; Philosophy of Science in Practice
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Complex Systems Specific Sciences > Earth Sciences General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > Operationalism/Instrumentalism
Depositing User:	Dr. Leonardo Bich
Date Deposited:	19 Apr 2017 15:42
Last Modified:	19 Apr 2017 15:42
Item ID:	12988
Journal or Publication Title:	Synthese
Publisher:	Springer (Springer Science+Business Media B.V.)
Official URL:	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11229...
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1007/s11229-017-1397-9
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Complex Systems Specific Sciences > Earth Sciences General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > Operationalism/Instrumentalism
Date:	4 June 2016
ISSN:	1573-0964
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12988

Available Versions of this Item

• Is defining life pointless? Operational definitions at the frontiers of Biology. (deposited 12 Mar 2017 16:50)
  • Is defining life pointless? Operational definitions at the frontiers of Biology. (deposited 19 Apr 2017 15:42) [Currently Displayed]

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