In my thesis, I will critically evaluate the contemporary tradition of viewing life, which is a result of the legacy of dualism. The purpose of the thesis is to transcend dualism and its philosophical heritage. I will argue against the adequacy of both materialism and idealism positions in providing a comprehensive explanation of living beings and highlight the shortcomings of reductionism. Francisco Varela and Hans Jonas will be the primary authors I will draw upon to attempt to provi-de a new definition of life. I will emphasize two key dialectics of life. In the dialectic of identity, I will indicate how the organism distinguishes itself from the environment and establishes stable identity. The dialectic of cognition will present the organism entering the world and creating mea-nings within it. I will attempt to demonstrate how the discernible minimal logic of the living can be used as a new definition for life.
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