2006-07-11 04:08:02 · 36 answers · asked by Philosophical Fred 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Living things grow, feed,respire,excrete,respond to stimuli, and reproduce.
Non-living things do not.
Living things on earth are based on the Carbon molecule i.e. they are organic. I think there may be one or two exceptions to this in the deep oceans - I think I recall some organisms that demonstrate some of the characteristics of living things that may be based on sulphur or silicone - but I may have dreamt it - or been watching too much Star Trek!
2006-07-11 04:16:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
From a philosophical point of view (edit: Your question is philosophical rather than technical) it boils down to your consciousness really, your ability to know (gnosis). At present science can't answer the question, what is the minimum number of neurons (brain cells) required to produce consciousness? Consciousness arising from neurons is still a hypothesis. All theories however cannot be separated from your consciousness, they are known by your cognitive lucidity. An "object" is actually a theory and has two aspects, an outer and an inner e.g. The outer aspect of "a rock" can be reduced to atoms which can be reduced to energy and space. The inner aspect of "a rock" is a subjective experience, i.e. not everyone has the same experience. In Vedanta consciousness is Brahman. This aspect is beautifully described in the kenopaniShad (I.4-7 paraphrased): Brahman is that which the eyes cannot see but that because of which the eyes have the capacity to see; know that alone to be Brahman and not this that you worship. It is that which ears cannot hear, but that because of which ears have the capacity to hear; know that alone to be Brahman and not this that you worship. It is that which you can not speak about but that because of which all speech is possible; know that alone to be Brahman and not this that you worship. It is that which the mind cannot think, but that because of which the mind has the capacity to think; know that alone to be Brahman and not this that you worship.
2016-03-27 01:05:04 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't recall all the factors, but a living thing consumes something, eliminates something as a result of consuming, and reproduces. I'm pretty sure I'm leaving something out. But that's the basic concept.
That's the (slightly) scientific answer. My opinion however is that there is a certain, spark or energy that is the difference between living and non living. When a living thing "dies" it loses that spark.
2006-07-11 04:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An excellent question, to which there is no satisfactory answer.
Life has symptoms which suggest its presence, but the more we learn the more vague the rules become.
If this is for a test or exam, look carefully at the date the question was written.
They still use "'All energy comes from the Sun - True/False" in today's exams.
Reproduction, Oxygen use, growth, etc. etc. etc. can all be seen in many chemical processes that we do not classify as life. (eg. Rust looks and acts like Lichen but is not alive).
2006-07-11 04:20:41 · answer #4 · answered by Simon D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The essential difference is that living things can reproduce.
2006-07-11 04:14:58 · answer #5 · answered by jeanne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A monstrous discovery suggests that viruses, long regarded as lowly evolutionary latecomers, may have been the precursors of all life on Earth. A newly discovered virus, officially known as "Mimivirus" is so genetically complex that it mimics a bacterium. Bottom line... the definitions of what is living and what is not living need to be redrawn.
2006-07-11 05:43:28 · answer #6 · answered by Sqdr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A living thing is one with the Creator Spirit. Read Dwane Dyer Books. A living thing has bodily functions. How about that?
2006-07-11 04:16:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the times non-living things smell more than living things
2006-07-11 04:12:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone mentioned Star Trek. This series tried to explore the limits of the question "What is a life form". Can it be based on Silicon? What about Data, the intelligent, thinking android? He doesn't metabolize, and he doesn't reproduce in the way we normally think about reproduction, though he "created" a daughter in one episode.
The answers about metabolism and reproduction seem to answer your question regarding earthly life forms. But they don't answer the questions about artificial or extraterrestrial life forms. I think we need to keep an open mind on those questions, because as soon as we think we have the answer, we might be proven wrong.
2006-07-11 06:01:16 · answer #9 · answered by Yogi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, the living thing knows it's living.
2006-07-11 04:14:22 · answer #10 · answered by ʎǝ1ʇʇnɯ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋