Self And The Phenomenon Of Life: A Biologist Examines Life From Molecules To Humanity

Introduction: Why Self 7

“9x6” b2726 Self and the Phenomenon of Life: A Biologist Examines Life from Molecules to Humanity

Other than standing on the vantage point of self, I do not see any
way to cover so many seemingly disparate facets of life under a single
umbrella. This book shows how the simple concept of “self” can explain
most, if not all, of what is going on in the biological world. It starts with
science but ends up more than science. Hence it can be read either as
a scientific treatise with a philosophical overtone, or as a philosophical
proposition grounded in science. Facing such a complex subject, I have
no choice but to be syncretic, which is far riskier and error-prone than to
sit comfortably in one’s own niche of specialization. Mindful of this lim-
itation, Erwin Schrödinger, of quantum mechanics fame, in the preface
to his seminal book What Is Life warned that “I see no other escape from
this dilemma than that some of us should venture to embark on a synthe-
sis of facts and theories, albeit with second hand and incomplete knowl-
edge of some of them — and at the risk of making fools of ourselves.”^7
Let me take this risk. Life is such an enigma that no attempt at explain-
ing it will be complete and final. I present my view only as an alternative
to many others, with shortcomings as well as strengths. Needless to say,
the book awaits future corrections and revisions, not only by myself but
also by coming generations, as new knowledge arrives.

Notes and References

1. A system is a collection of interrelated, interacting parts that work in a coor-
   dinated manner so that the function of the whole is more than those of the
   individual parts combined.


2. The following illustrates my point. Let me draw a straight line, defined as
   the shortest distance between two points. The line represents the simplest
   form of geometry, and it is governed by the axiom as defined. Next, let me
   draw a three-dimensional structure. The lines and the axiom are embedded
   in the solid geometry, though they may not be apparent to a casual observer.
   Likewise, in a complex life form, the principle of self (as I define it) may not
   be obvious but it is always there.


3. Dawkins R. (1976) The Selfish Gene. Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford. The title
   of Dawkins’ book implies that genes are independent and individualistic,