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Abstract:
Due to recent advances in synthetic biology and artificial life, the origin of life is currently a hot topic of research.
We review the literature and argue that the two traditionally
competing replicator-first and metabolism-first approaches are
merging into one integrated theory of individuation and evolution.
We contribute to the maturation of this more inclusive approach
by highlighting some problematic assumptions that still lead to an
impoverished conception of the phenomenon of life. In particular,
we argue that the new consensus has so far failed to consider the
relevance of intermediate time scales. We propose that an adequate
theory of life must account for the fact that all living beings are
situated in at least four distinct time scales, which are typically
associated with metabolism, motility, development, and evolution.
In this view, self-movement, adaptive behavior, and morphological
changes could have already been present at the origin of life. In order
to illustrate this possibility, we analyze a minimal model of lifelike
phenomena, namely, of precarious, individuated, dissipative structures
that can be found in simple reaction-diffusion systems. Based on
our analysis, we suggest that processes on intermediate time scales
could have already been operative in prebiotic systems. They
may have facilitated and constrained changes occurring in the faster- and slower-paced time scales of chemical self-individuation and evolution by natural selection, respectively.
