more from Peter van Inwagen

Single Idea 17586

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 2. Life]

Full Idea

The lives of the lower links of the Great Chain of Being trail off into vague, temporary episodes of molecular interaction.

Gist of Idea

At the lower level, life trails off into mere molecular interaction

Source

Peter van Inwagen (Material Beings [1990], 18)

Book Reference

Inwagen,Peter van: 'Material Beings' [Cornell 1995], p.239


A Reaction

His case involves conceding all sorts of vagueness to life, but asserting the utter distinctness of the full blown cases of more elaborate life. I don't really concede the distinction.