Define what is 'alive'

[db69]

Just wondering something here.. How do you tell that something is 'alive'? Having a soul? The ability to procreate? Ability to grow? The process of growing old and dying?

[Baloo]

Main Entry: alive
Pronunciation: &-'lIv
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English on life, from on + lIf life
Date: before 12th century
1 : having life : not dead or inanimate
2 : still in existence, force, or operation : ACTIVE <kept hope alive>
3 : knowing or realizing the existence of : SENSITIVE <alive to the danger>
4 : marked by alertness, energy, or briskness
5 : marked by much life, animation, or activity : SWARMING <streets alive with traffic>
6 -- used as an intensive following the noun <the proudest boy alive>
synonym see AWARE
- alive·ness noun


Main Entry: 1life
Pronunciation: 'lIf
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural lives /'lIvz/
Etymology: Middle English lif, from Old English lIf; akin to Old English libban to live -- more at LIVE
Date: before 12th century
1 a : the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body b : a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings -- compare VITALISM 1 c : an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
2 a : the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual b : one or more aspects of the process of living <sex life of the frog>
3 : BIOGRAPHY 1
4 : spiritual existence transcending physical death
5 a : the period from birth to death b : a specific phase of earthly existence <adult life> c : the period from an event until death <a judge appointed for life> d : a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convict's life
6 : a way or manner of living
7 : LIVELIHOOD
8 : a vital or living being; specifically : PERSON <many lives were lost in the disaster>
9 : an animating and shaping force or principle
10 : SPIRIT, ANIMATION <there was no life in her dancing>
11 : the form or pattern of something existing in reality <painted from life>
12 : the period of duration, usefulness, or popularity of something <the expected life of flashlight batteries>
13 : the period of existence (as of a subatomic particle) -- compare HALF-LIFE
14 : a property (as resilience or elasticity) of an inanimate substance or object resembling the animate quality of a living being
15 : living beings (as of a particular kind or environment) <forest life>
16 a : human activities b : animate activity and movement <stirrings of life> c : the activities of a given sphere, area, or time <the political life of the country>
17 : one providing interest and vigor <life of the party>
18 : an opportunity for continued viability <gave the patient a new life>
19 capitalized, Christian Science : GOD 1b
20 : something resembling animate life <a grant saved the project's life>


Does that help any?

[Tammi]

ª«I am not alive. I merely take up a great deal of spaceª«

Seriously, though.

This is my definition of alive.
People, animals, trees, grass, etc are alive, because of the life force flowing thru their veins. (blood, chloraphyl...etc)

Rocks, steel, glass.....that is not alive. Nothing flows thru it to bring it life.

Just my silly idea.

[db69]

My 'real' question - Is FIRE alive?? It eats, gives 'birth', consumes, grows more as it 'eats', and ultimately dies. Just sumthin to make ya go hmmmmm.......

[Jlew]

If you squirt somethin' your alive.....heh heh!

W¦¶

[CUTEGAL]

I am Alive! ;D ;D *pinches self* Yep I sure am alive.

[Wats]

ۧ

NOW!

Define Dead

[BigMelt]

db69 said:

My 'real' question - Is FIRE alive?? It eats, gives 'birth', consumes, grows more as it 'eats', and ultimately dies. Just sumthin to make ya go hmmmmm.......

Actually, fire isn't even there. It has NO MATTER. Fire is not even a substance, it's no more there than a rainbow.

Of course, I spent some time fighting forest fires in Montana...spend enough fighting "The Beast" and whether it's there or not, it sure as hell seems alive. And mean.