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The-Elder-King OP t1_j4ryn5i wrote

Reply to comment by treethirtythree in We are living beings, yet every single atom that constitutes our bodies isn’t alive. by The-Elder-King

They don’t meet the criteria to be considered alive, yet when they are all together in particular order and groups they do meet the criteria as a whole. Where is the line that separates alive to not-alive?

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treethirtythree t1_j4rzdm3 wrote

It's a good question and a line that has likely moved several times over the course of human history. We define things according to our understanding and then measure with tools that we have available. To think that either is complete would appear to be a mistake given the history.

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The-Elder-King OP t1_j4s12me wrote

I like your answer but leaves plenty of room for doubts. If, let’s say, carbon atoms that compose your body are considered alive, then it means that the mineral that will be formed in billions of years somewhere else in the universe - with the very same carbon atoms that make you today - will also be alive.

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treethirtythree t1_j4s207o wrote

Why would that be a problem? For doubts, they will always exist and I kind of like it that way. It leaves room for possibility and wonder.

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FartyMcGee__ t1_j4u6hik wrote

A tuba player is not considered an orchestra. Nor a violinist. But when you organize a group of musicians together, all with one goal, then you can have an orchestra.

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