John Arthur Thomson Quote

If we are to reach a coherent view of Nature, such as could be included in a philosophy, we must arrive at some discernment of the characteristics which mark off living organisms from their not-living surroundings. In the present state of science a definition of the organism cannot be more than tentative, but it must be continually attempted.


The System of Animate Nature (Volume 1), Lecture III (p. 79)


If we are to reach a coherent view of Nature, such as could be included in a philosophy, we must arrive at some discernment of the characteristics...

If we are to reach a coherent view of Nature, such as could be included in a philosophy, we must arrive at some discernment of the characteristics...

If we are to reach a coherent view of Nature, such as could be included in a philosophy, we must arrive at some discernment of the characteristics...

If we are to reach a coherent view of Nature, such as could be included in a philosophy, we must arrive at some discernment of the characteristics...