Edge.org
To arrive at the edge of the world's knowledge, seek out the most complex and sophisticated minds, put them in a room together, and have them ask each other the questions they are asking themselves.
Published on Edge.org (http://www.edge.org)

Home >

2006 : WHAT IS YOUR DANGEROUS IDEA? [1]

In the News [ 25 ] [2]
  |  
Contributors [ 119 ] [3]   |   View All Responses [ 119 ] [4]

[ print ] [5]

[6]
George Dyson [6]
Science Historian; Author, Turing's Cathedral: The Origins of the Digital Universe; Darwin Among the Machines
Understanding molecular biology without discovering the origins of life

I predict we will reach a complete understanding of molecular biology and molecular evolution, without ever discovering the origins of life.

This idea is dangerous, because it suggests a mystery that science cannot explain. Or, it may be interpreted as confirmation that life is merely the collective result of a long series of incremental steps, and that it is impossible to draw a precise distinction between life and non-life.

"The only thing of which I am sure," argued Samuel Butler in 1880, "is that the distinction between the organic and inorganic is arbitrary; that it is more coherent with our other ideas, and therefore more acceptable, to start with every molecule as a living thing, and then deduce death as the breaking up of an association or corporation, than to start with inanimate molecules and smuggle life into them. "

Every molecule a living thing? That's not even dangerous, it's wrong! But where else can you draw the line?

  • John Brockman, Editor and Publisher
  • Russell Weinberger, Associate Publisher
  • Karina Knoll, Editorial Assistant
 
  • Contact Info:editor@edge.org
  • In the News
  • Manage Email Subscription
  • Get Edge.org by email
 
Edge.org is a nonprofit private operating foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Copyright © 2012 By Edge Foundation, Inc All Rights Reserved.

 


Links:
[1] http://www.edge.org/annual-question/what-is-your-dangerous-idea
[2] http://www.edge.org/inthenews/what-is-your-dangerous-idea
[3] http://www.edge.org/contributors/what-is-your-dangerous-idea
[4] http://www.edge.org/responses/what-is-your-dangerous-idea
[5] http://www.edge.org/print/response-detail/10716
[6] http://www.edge.org/memberbio/george_dyson