« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down

Author Topic: Life, a stupid question  (Read 16379 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline EagleKeeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2585
  • Reputation: +133/-100
  • ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Life, a stupid question
« on: June 16, 2013, 07:20:23 PM »
I am or was watching a  show that was pondering when an artificial construct ( a robot or whatever ) might be considered life.  Some of the thoughts tossed about were things like being able to stand up or navigate around an obstacle. One of the things considered was the ability to pass on instructions on how to build another copy of the life that came before it.

I couldn't help but to start thinking that life started millions of years ago and has not stopped since.

I suppose my question is...when does life stop so that it can be questioned?
Logged
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2013, 07:40:12 PM »
Questioned?  How so? 
Logged

Offline EagleKeeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2585
  • Reputation: +133/-100
  • ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #2 on: June 16, 2013, 07:49:24 PM »
Well I guess my question would be.  If life sprang to life millions of years ago when does it stop being life so that it can be considered non life and destroyed?
Logged
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2013, 07:59:04 PM »
I think it actually stopping when we can no longer produce offspring; it seems to me to be the purpose of our lives
Logged

Offline EagleKeeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2585
  • Reputation: +133/-100
  • ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2013, 08:04:19 PM »
Do you think you can trace your lineage back to beginning of life or not?
Logged
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2013, 08:07:13 PM »
Yes, I think we can in the sense that we are likely from the same source; are you touching on religion with your question?  Interestingly, I can trace my paternal lineage to the 1700 -I think earlier but it never interested me
Logged

Offline EagleKeeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2585
  • Reputation: +133/-100
  • ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #6 on: June 16, 2013, 08:15:15 PM »
Yes, I am touching on religion.

I think I can trace my lineage from the beginning of life on this planet through to today and beyond.

Are you not my brother?
Logged
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #7 on: June 16, 2013, 08:29:48 PM »
I really don't believe in God, as Christians do.  I believe in living your religion, not church because I find sincerity in the former.  So, I'm not your sister in the sense of the word as I understand you mean it. 

If you are asking if I believe we will be all together in an afterlife, I don't know but I suspect there is something.       
Logged

Offline EagleKeeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2585
  • Reputation: +133/-100
  • ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2013, 08:39:42 PM »
I was not asking if you believe in religion, I was asking if you believe in life?
Logged
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2013, 08:50:12 PM »
Quote from: EagleKeeper on June 16, 2013, 08:39:42 PM
I was not asking if you believe in religion, I was asking if you believe in life?

Hmm, philosophy.  Yes, I do know we have a life, and certainly, the finality of death.  But my answer is complex and I'm unwilling to explain why. I can only say that I know souls do have a purpose and sometimes I've fooled myself with thinking mine did, only to be bitchslapped into knowing that another, has a purpose for me
Logged

Offline EagleKeeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2585
  • Reputation: +133/-100
  • ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2013, 09:01:38 PM »
Your answer is complex and you are unwilling to explain why.

I suppose I understand why you would do this. That's fine, I don't care either way.

Some folkes refuse to explain life so that they can refuse to explain other things and thats fine too
Logged
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2013, 09:07:42 PM »
Then you do it -since it is simple for you EagleKeeper
Logged

Offline obumazombie

  • Siege engine to lib fortresses
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21814
  • Reputation: +1659/-578
  • Last of the great minorities
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #12 on: June 16, 2013, 09:08:40 PM »
Quote from: EagleKeeper on June 16, 2013, 09:01:38 PM
Your answer is complex and you are unwilling to explain why.

I suppose I understand why you would do this. That's fine, I don't care either way.

Some folkes refuse to explain life so that they can refuse to explain other things and thats fine too

I enjoy points of view about life, because I know for myself I don't have life figured out. Sometimes even the solid foundation of what I believe experiences tremors.
Logged
There were only two options for gender. At last count there are at least 12, according to libs. By that standard, I'm a male lesbian.

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2013, 09:09:46 PM »
Quote from: obumazombie on June 16, 2013, 09:08:40 PM
I enjoy points of view about life, because I know for myself I don't have life figured out. Sometimes even the solid foundation of what I believe experiences tremors.

No sh*t
Logged

Offline EagleKeeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2585
  • Reputation: +133/-100
  • ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #14 on: June 16, 2013, 09:22:50 PM »
Quote from: obumazombie on June 16, 2013, 09:08:40 PM
I enjoy points of view about life, because I know for myself I don't have life figured out. Sometimes even the solid foundation of what I believe experiences tremors.

All I want to say is that it should and I would be happy to have that conversation with yourself
Logged
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline obumazombie

  • Siege engine to lib fortresses
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21814
  • Reputation: +1659/-578
  • Last of the great minorities
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #15 on: June 16, 2013, 09:49:51 PM »
Logged
There were only two options for gender. At last count there are at least 12, according to libs. By that standard, I'm a male lesbian.

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #16 on: June 16, 2013, 10:13:04 PM »
Quote from: obumazombie on June 16, 2013, 09:49:51 PM
non sequitur.

At least I replied.  The meaning of life is a bit raw for me and I prefer to write fully about it.
Logged

Offline obumazombie

  • Siege engine to lib fortresses
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21814
  • Reputation: +1659/-578
  • Last of the great minorities
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #17 on: June 16, 2013, 10:15:10 PM »
Replying is almost always better than lurking.
Logged
There were only two options for gender. At last count there are at least 12, according to libs. By that standard, I'm a male lesbian.

Offline EagleKeeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2585
  • Reputation: +133/-100
  • ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #18 on: June 16, 2013, 10:17:37 PM »
It was not and never was about you.

The original question was about how do you judge new life coming into being.
Logged
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #19 on: June 16, 2013, 10:26:36 PM »
Quote from: EagleKeeper on June 16, 2013, 10:17:37 PM
It was not and never was about you.

The original question was about how do you judge new life coming into being.

I'm still waiting for yours
Logged

Offline thundley4

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 40571
  • Reputation: +2222/-127
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #20 on: June 16, 2013, 10:34:15 PM »
Life means being self aware, but also having a desire for self preservation.
Logged

Offline obumazombie

  • Siege engine to lib fortresses
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21814
  • Reputation: +1659/-578
  • Last of the great minorities
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #21 on: June 16, 2013, 10:36:09 PM »
Quote from: EagleKeeper on June 16, 2013, 10:17:37 PM
It was not and never was about you.

The original question was about how do you judge new life coming into being.
That reminds me of a junior high science class topic of discussion. We were asked to define life. We came up with a lot of attributes, but at each turn were given examples of non life that had the same attribute. One such example was reproduction and viruses. The same quandary threatens discussion of the definition of human being. One fowl attempt was made with Plato's retort "featherless biped" whereupon a member of his audience picked up a chicken and plucked it.
Some concepts are quite complex to define or quantify.
Logged
There were only two options for gender. At last count there are at least 12, according to libs. By that standard, I'm a male lesbian.

Offline EagleKeeper

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2585
  • Reputation: +133/-100
  • ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #22 on: June 16, 2013, 10:37:47 PM »
Quote from: here on June 16, 2013, 10:26:36 PM
I'm still waiting for yours

That is an awesome question.

I look to my right and ask myself if my cat is alive
I believe that I can trace my cats lineage back to the first organism as I can do for myself.
Logged
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
- Napoleon Bonaparte

If you wait by the river long enough the bodies of your enemies will float by.
-Sun Tzu

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #23 on: June 16, 2013, 10:46:30 PM »
Quote from: thundley4 on June 16, 2013, 10:34:15 PM
Life means being self aware, but also having a desire for self preservation.

How do you explain soldiers, or emergency personnel?
Logged

Offline here

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 354
  • Reputation: +19/-29
  • In case anyone ever asks, I wasn't really here
Re: Life, a stupid question
« Reply #24 on: June 16, 2013, 10:48:40 PM »
Quote from: obumazombie on June 16, 2013, 09:08:40 PM
I enjoy points of view about life, because I know for myself I don't have life figured out. Sometimes even the solid foundation of what I believe experiences tremors.

OK, I've had a glass of wine and I'll take the challenge.  Only death shakes faith and despite some religions that celebrate 'returning home', we all have doubts that this is it and our biological expiration ends a chance to make things right, or to say what we didn't dare
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up
« previous next »