2min snip

The Dissenter cover image

#985 Philip Ball - How Life Works: A User’s Guide to the New Biology

The Dissenter

NOTE

Life's Essence Lies in Goal-Directedness

Life distinguishes itself from non-living systems through the concept of agency, which embodies the ability of living organisms to adapt and change their environment actively to achieve specific goals. Traditional criteria for life, such as self-replication and metabolism, often fail to encompass the full spectrum of living systems, as evidenced by the existence of complex non-living structures that exhibit similar traits. A more effective understanding of life acknowledges that living entities possess goals and purposes—an essential characteristic not found in non-living entities, regardless of their complexity. This goal-directedness is central to the essence of life and serves as a recurring theme in the study of biology.

00:00

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode