Between Necessity and Probability: Searching for the Definition and Origin of Life

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Springer Science & Business Media, Feb 20, 2004 - Science - 252 pages

Systematically explores the early origins and basic definition of life.

Investigates the major theories of the origins of life in light of modern research with the aim of distinguishing between the necessary and the optional and between deterministic and random influences in the emergence of what we call ‘life.’

Treats and views life as a cosmic phenomenon whose emergence and driving force should be viewed independently from its Earth-bound natural history.

Synthesizes all the fundamental life-related developments in a comprehensive scenario, and makes the argument that understanding life in its broadest context requires a material-independent perspective that identifies its essential fingerprints

 

Contents

3
39
4
60
The Origin of Handedness
81
The Early History of BioInformation
95
The PurposeLike Nature of Life
121
Assembling the Early Puzzle of Life
139
The MaterialIndependent Signatures of Life
159
Appendix A Models and Theories of Life
173
Appendix B Chronology of Definitions
197
Dictionary
207
Abbreviations
225
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