We explain what life is, defined in different disciplines such as biology, physics and philosophy. Also, concept of human life.
What is life?
The concept of life andIt is difficult to define, since depending on the discipline in which we are located various answers will be obtained which can even be antagonistic to each other.
- Life, from biology Life is defined as the ability to be born, breathe, develop, procreate, evolve and die. Furthermore, to consider that there is life from this perspective, it is necessary that there be an exchange of matter and energy.
- Life, from physics It can be understood as the time things last or as the evolutionary phase, that is, that stars have life, something that would be incompatible from biology.
- Life, from philosophy It is also difficult to define, since depending on the philosopher and the current that is analyzed, the answer that will be obtained will be different. We find philosophers against the distinction made above between “body and soul” or “reason and body.” For other philosophers, life is a set of experiences. Within this conception, life cannot be understood by other disciplines since it is something that happens, happens to living beings, which is why it cannot be defined by exact science.
See also: Death
human life
In medical terms we talk about human life, from when it begins to when it ends. There are those who consider that life can begin at the moment the egg is fertilized. Others affirm that life as such begins with birth, that until the moment before birth it is a fetus.
There are experts who consider it necessary to separate human life from biological life. This was a topic that was already discussed in ancient Greece, one of the thinkers who reflected on it was Aristotle. The illustrious man considered that in order to consider human life, requirements were necessary, some of them were autonomy, freedom, the search for beauty, politics, philosophy, among others. This vision has received a lot of criticism, since based on this definition many people could not be called as such.
On the other hand, others consider that a requirement for human life is reason. This is what distinguishes us from the rest of living beings. It is considered that this position arose from the spread of the Judea-Christian religion. Although it has been modified throughout history, not only those who possess reason are considered possessors of human life.
Today, Christianity understands human life as a facet that the soul must overcome before reaching plenitude. From other religions, such as Buddhism, it is considered that life is the different states of reincarnation.
