What makes something "alive"?

Question

Chemiacl reactions? A soul? Awareness? What??

Yes, another rather philosophical from me!

Answer 1

Technically being alive (having the property of life) requires only that something must be organic and perform biological processes. In the case of determining the point at which life begins in an animal however calls into question what it means to us to BE alive.

With that in mind i would classify life in animals (humans included) as self awareness and ability to make decisions.

Technically vegetables are alive, but are not self aware. They are able to have the property of life but not necessarily considered being "alive."

I guess my whole point is in order to be alive in the sense of what we experience one must have a functioning central nervous system that is capable of perceiving the outside world and reacting to what is perceived.

Answer 2

Life.

Definition: An active condition that distinguishes plants, animals, humans, and spirit beings from inanimate objects. Physical living things generally have the capabilities of growth, metabolism, response to external stimuli, and reproduction. Vegetation has active life but not life as a sense-possessing soul. In earthly souls, animal and human, there are both active life-force to animate them and breath to sustain that life-force.

Life in the fullest sense, as applied to intelligent persons, is perfect existence with the right to it. The human soul is not immortal. But faithful servants of God have the prospect of everlasting life in perfection—on earth for most people.

In the Bible, regarding Jehovah God, it is stated: "For with you [God] is the source of life." (Psalms 36:9)

Answer 3

Hey Elle,
I saw your question about thought and stuff and I as well find the topic interesting...I'm into making short films and stuff and I am acutally right in the middle of production on a video over that very topic. If you would like to see the script and then possibly the video once its done I'd be glad to share it with you. I'm on my sister's account...she told me about your question...but you can AIM me at submariner shaw if you're interested...

Answer 4

Life is the characteristic state of organisms. Properties common to terrestrial organisms (plants, animals, fungi, protists and bacteria) are that they are cellular, carbon-and-water-based with complex organization, having a metabolism, a capacity to grow, respond to stimuli, reproduce and—through natural selection—adapt.

Answer 5

i think it is your soul.because when you die your soul drifts to where it is ready to go.since your soul leaves when you die that means that it is your sould that is what keeps you alive.your soul is everything in your body and when somthing happens to your body it efect your soul.so if you got stabed in the heart your soul is in there and it is a small opening to where your soul is set free.dose this answer your question?

Answer 6

brain activity and a heart beat