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But the definition of a word is not knowledge. Knowing that mitochondria have their own DNA is knowledge. Knowing that they reproduce independently of their ho
by andrewla 2y ago
But the definition of a word is not knowledge.
Knowing that mitochondria have their own DNA is knowledge. Knowing that they reproduce independently of their home cell is knowledge. Learning whether they evolved from a separate viable organism would be knowledge. Learning whether we can make them viable, or breed them separately, and use them in therapies -- all knowledge.
Whether they are "alive" or not is just the definition of a word.
- dekhn 2y agoMuch of science is about defining words in ways that match the underlying general structure of the system being studied. A subset of scientists want to come up with an operational definition of "What is life", which may or may not include things like viruses and mitochondria. As you say, it's mostly definitional, but by defining this, we can potentially make our understanding match up with the latent reality.