There is an interesting discussion going on starting with Trifinov’s ( whom I met here last year ) seminal paper in J Biomol Struct Dyn 2011

Analysis of the vocabulary of 123 tabulated definitions of life reveals nine groups of defining terms of which the groups (self-)reproduction and evolution (variation) appear as the minimal set for a concise and inclusive definition: Life is self-reproduction with variations… Over 100 of definitions of life exist today– learned opinions each one of which is, or has been in the past, defended not without a reason though generally met with skepticism. Continue reading What is life? →