Great Mysteries of Physics Will we ever have a fundamental theory of life and consciousness?
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Apr 5, 2023 
Physics professors Jim Al-Khalili and Sara Imari Walker discuss the emergence of life from non-living matter and the challenges of understanding consciousness. They explore concepts such as entropy, proton tunneling in DNA, quantum consciousness, and the role of information theory in understanding life. They also delve into the evolution of objects and theories like quantum biology and non-equilibrium physics that could unravel the mysteries of life and consciousness.
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Life Contradicts Entropy Laws
- Living systems maintain lower entropy states contrary to the second law of thermodynamics.
- Life seems to create order from disorder through energy and nutrient flows that non-living matter cannot sustain.
Life as Emergent Phenomenon
- Emergence means life is more than the sum of atomic parts, just like water’s wetness.
- Some properties only appear when many components interact, defying simple reductionism.
Replication Marks Life’s Origin
- Life transitions from chemistry to biology when molecules gain the ability to replicate.
- This replication emergence is still not fully understood by scientists.