Animals and life

[NTOT]

What makes things alive? Take animals for instance. They are just a mixture of material and chemicals arranged in a certain way so as to take on the semblence of the creature it represents. What causes it to be alive and aware. Is its movements and instinctual behaviors the result of mere stimuli response or is life something else beyond scientific explanation?

 

[strngrnrth]

Its ability to move, reproduce and assimmilate nutrients are chemical processes ade possible by the very difficult and complex chemical arrangement of its molecules. Its feelings and consciousness are a gift from God and are supernatural. If it developed human consciousness and free will, that would be another, greater gift and a separate supernatural act.

 

[NTOT]

Its ability to move, reproduce and assimmilate nutrients are chemical processes ade possible by the very difficult and complex chemical arrangement of its molecules. Its feelings and consciousness are a gift from God and are supernatural. If it developed human consciousness and free will, that would be another, greater gift and a separate supernatural act.

So if a scientist were to successfully mix all the right chemicals in the right proportions and correct arrangements would he then just have a dead animal or would it be possible to spark it to life?
I was questioned on these things and didn’t know how to adequately respond. Thanks for the help.

 

[davidv]

So if a scientist were to successfully mix all the right chemicals in the right proportions and correct arrangements would he then just have a dead animal or would it be possible to spark it to life?
I was questioned on these things and didn’t know how to adequately respond. Thanks for the help.

Only if God chose to infuse in it a soul.

 

[CapIV]

I think this question belongs in a biology forum. A rock is not alive. A plant is alive.

The more important question is: What are the qualifications for Natural Rights?

 

[Caesar517]

I think the key issue in determining whether something is alive or not is: Can it reproduce?

 

[Newbie2]

I think the key issue in determining whether something is alive or not is: Can it reproduce?

If a rock falls from a height and breaks into 3 smaller pieces, did it reproduce?

 

[Tammy111]

What makes things alive? Take animals for instance. They are just a mixture of material and chemicals arranged in a certain way so as to take on the semblence of the creature it represents. What causes it to be alive and aware. Is its movements and instinctual behaviors the result of mere stimuli response or is life something else beyond scientific explanation?

In the Hebrew account of creation, God breathes “nephesh” into the animals and they become alive. The humans, in addition, to being “nephesh”; they are also have the “imago dei.”

 

[pyropam]

I think the key issue in determining whether something is alive or not is: Can it reproduce?

Not true… not all humans can reproduce. That does not mean they are dead.

Living things are made up of cells (or a single cell).
Cells are the building blocks of life.

God created many forms of life: Animals, plants and fungi.

These different types of life all have basic needs: water, oxygen, nutrients, etc…

Now… humans are different, they contain a “SOUL” place within them by God at their conception.

Sorry, simple science lesson from someone who holds a degree in science.

 

[Hastrman]

So if a scientist were to successfully mix all the right chemicals in the right proportions and correct arrangements would he then just have a dead animal or would it be possible to spark it to life?
I was questioned on these things and didn’t know how to adequately respond. Thanks for the help.

The mental error involved here is assuming that “what X is made of=what X is.” By that logic, a pencil lead, a diamond, and a Buckminsterfullerine ball are actually all the same thing, since they’re made of the same stuff.

Metaphysics: the most important thing nobody ever bothers to learn.