Defining Life: Historical Perspectives

The podcast delves into the longstanding question of what constitutes life, exploring perspectives from ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle to modern interpretations. Aristotle, for example, asserted that living beings possess a soul, while Empedocles proposed that life arises from a mix of four elemental forces—earth, air, water, and fire. This historical inquiry reflects an ongoing attempt to differentiate between living organisms and inanimate matter. The exploration of these foundational ideas not only frames our understanding of biology but also sets the groundwork for contemporary discussions about life, especially in the context of extraterrestrial existence.