Is it possible to come up with a useful, simple and practical definition that captures the meaning and purpose of life. Hopefully it will help make a little difference?
Many definitions exists for life from standard ideas of reproduction and observable characterises like movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion and nutrition. Useful to know I suppose
Crystals and rocks can store energy but are not considered life but certain AI programs or the internet could be considered alive.
The universe appears to be a closed loop self-sustaining system inferring some form of higher intelligent design - where the past, present and future co-exit - so does free will really exist?
Perhaps the universe started out as a simple binary type code that developed (still is) into a complex mathematical artificial intelligence that wanted to experience physical existence, Ontological mathematics has some interesting ideas. Perhaps in part, this explains why we are attracted to digital technology
Then we have string theory taking us down to the smallest building blocks – pure waves of energy where images of our brain and universe look very similar, where particles retain a connection with one and other regardless of distance.
As a starter, here is one definition I thought of:
‘Life is an opportunity to program OUR mind to manifest our desires into a joyful experience'
Causing harm to another or planet in pursuit of our desires is not considered a joyful experience.