Life can be unequivocally defined just as pure white is unequivocally defined as far as the continuum is concerned.
Some biologists, myself included, disagree with this particular analogy using only the purest white on a continuum to represent life.
We think that for the definition of life to be useful to the field of biology and all the related fields of study it has to be flexible and using the continuum analogy life would include not only pure white but would extend to somewhere in the mid-gray region.
What this boils down to is you saying "life has to have this narrow set of parameters and any deviation from that is non-life."
and
Us saying " nope, not for us. We use a broader definition of life, so that everyone in the fields can understand each other. Sometimes, some of us may use a narrow definition for life, which we define, and other times we need a broad definition, which we define.
You are never going to get us
to use only your definition for life. Those of us studying life define it the way that works best for us and aids communication the best. Get over it.
Edited by Tanypteryx, : spelling
What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty Python
One important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie
If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy
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