Life #3 - Lack of Definition
In the last blog in the series, let us look at different perspectives on the lack of definition for the term “life”, from Carl Zimmer’s Life’s Edge . One view is the one expressed by Radu Popa: “A science in which the most important object has no definition? That’s absolutely unacceptable.” Others don’t see a problem. Let each set (NASA, microbiologists, physicians) have their own definition, they say – its impact, in any case, is limited to their area of research. As you might have imagined, not everyone takes that view. Some philosophers point out that so many day to day terms have no definition either, yet we use them without confusion. Ludwig Wittgenstein asked: “How, for example, would you answer the question, “What are games?” Games. Some have winners and losers, others don’t. Some have tokens, others card, and yet other tools in other games. For some games, the players get paid; for others, they pay to play. And yet, as Zimmer points out: “However, w...