Chapter 1 - What does it mean to be alive?

Back to Main Page Introduction Chapter two *** SUMMARY of Conclusions reached

Photo of a large bacterial cell. Courtesy of Electron Microscopy Group, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge.

Part A: Problems associated with previous and current attempts to define life
An overview of attempts to define life, and the crisis they have generated
Appendix: Is teleology scientifically redundant?

Part B: A proposed solution to the "problem of life"
A "science-friendly" teleological account of life
Appendix: What are the necessary conditions for something's being alive?