Theoretical origin of life; requires intellect (Introduction)

by dhw, Monday, December 05, 2016, 13:54 (2910 days ago) @ David Turell

David’s comment: This is his conclusion after a long article discussing entropy and how life answers that process. [...]

dhw: There has to be a distinction between living matter and non-living matter, but it is difficult to pinpoint. I’d say replication with differences is one factor. I would presume sentience is another. Some of us would say the ability to process information and regulate behaviour accordingly is another (perhaps that’s what he means by “information translation”). As evidence for God’s existence, I must say I much prefer your complexity approach to the convoluted one you have summarized.

DAVID: I would edit your statement: there is an obvious difference between life and non-life, but an exact definition of what is life is not yet decided. It is obvious that life's processes depend upon using information implanted within life. Thank you for your appreciation of the complexity argument. But his approach to 'origin of life' is a major part of my argument. Origin is not explained by any research and is as strong an argument for God as is complexity of life.

I would not separate origin from complexity. The author pointed out the problem of defining the difference between life and non-life, so I was trying to pinpoint relevant factors. The three abilities I listed are the products of the complexities, and in analysing the machinery that makes them possible, you put the strongest case for design against chance, which = origin. But you would have understood a lot more of the article than I did, and I am in no position to criticize it. I was just trying to add something useful, and my final remark was “in passing”.