Life on Earth is an individual

Biological classification has traditionally grouped organisms into categories based on shared traits. However, this approach may not fully capture the nature of life as a continuous and localized phenomenon. Prior research has shown that biological species are not just classifications but are spatio-temporally bounded entities. This perspective raises questions about whether life itself should be considered as a singular, individual process rather than a class of similar phenomena. The concept of individuality in biology is often applied to organisms, but its extension to life as a whole remains underexplored. The assumption of a common origin for all life on Earth suggests a shared continuity of processes, which challenges traditional taxonomic frameworks. This gap motivated a reevaluation of the ontological status of life. That uncertainty drove the need to examine life not as a class but as a singular, historical process. No prior work had resolved the implications of life's continuity and localization for its categorization.

The aim of this study is to examine the nature of life as an ontological individual rather than a class of similar entities. The specific problem addressed is the classification of life based on shared traits rather than on its spatio-temporal continuity and individuality. The motivation arises from the observation that biological species are themselves individuals with distinct boundaries and histories. This perspective suggests that life as a whole may also be an individual. The study seeks to clarify the implications of this view for the categorization of life. It proposes that life is best understood as a singular, continuous process with a beginning and an end. The authors argue that this approach aligns with the observed continuity of life processes at the cellular level. The study also explores the potential for multiple life-individuals to exist if life has originated independently in different contexts.

The study employs a conceptual analysis of life as an individual process. It draws on existing biological and philosophical frameworks to evaluate the continuity and localization of life. The approach involves examining the characteristics of biological species as individuals. The authors reference the spatio-temporal restrictions of life processes to support their argument. They analyze the implications of a common origin for all life on Earth. The study does not rely on empirical data but on logical reasoning and existing biological knowledge. It considers the continuity of cellular processes as a key feature of life's individuality. The authors also explore the possibility of independent origins of life and their implications for classification.

The study finds that life on Earth exhibits characteristics of an ontological individual. These include spatio-temporal localization, continuity, and historicity. The authors propose that life is not a class but a singular, continuous process. They argue that all living organisms share a common origin and exhibit continuity at the cellular level. The study highlights the cohesion and bounded nature of life processes. It suggests that biological species are themselves individuals, not classes. The authors conclude that life on Earth is best understood as an individual entity. They propose that independent origins of life would produce other such individuals, called life-individuals.

The authors conclude that life on Earth is an ontological individual. They argue that this view is supported by the continuity and localization of life processes. The study suggests that biological species are individuals, not classes. The authors propose that the discovery of another life-individual would support the universality of biology. They emphasize the need to recognize life-individuals as a distinct category of organization. The study does not claim that life is essential to all forms of existence. It does not suggest that all life must share the same processes. The authors state that their findings are based on the assumption of a common origin for life on Earth.