The Quest for a Universal Theory of Life

Integrating both scientific and philosophical perspectives, The Quest for a Universal Theory of Life provides an informed analysis of the challenges of formulating a universal theory of life. Among the issues discussed are crucial differences between definitions and scientific theories and, in the context of examples from the history of science, how successful general theories develop. The central problem discussed is two-fold: first, our understanding of life is still tacitly wedded to an antiquated Aristotelian framework for biology; second, there are compelling reasons for considering that familiar Earth life, which descends from a last universal common ancestor, is unrepresentative. What is needed are examples of life as we don't know it. Potential sources are evaluated, including artificial life, extraterrestrial life, and a shadow biosphere right here on Earth. A novel strategy for searching for unfamiliar life in the absence of a definition or general theory is developed. A valuable resource for graduate students and researchers studying the nature, origins, and extent of life in the universe.

Acknowledgments
Introduction

1. The Enduring Legacy of Aristotle
2. Why Life can't be Defined
3. What is a Scientific Theory
4. How Scientific Theories Develop
5. Challenges for a Universal Theory of Life
6. Rethinking the Traditional Paradigm for Life: Lessons from the World of Microbes
7. Artificial Life: Could ALife Solve the N = 1 Problem?
8. Searching for Extraterrestrial Life
9. A Shadow Biosphere: Alien Microbes on Earth?

Conclusion
References
Index