To define something means to classify an object by its genus and then differentiate that object by species. Aristotle explained this idea with an example by defining a human being as an animal (genus) that is rational (species).
To define something then is to classify it by its physical traits. Although life certainly resides within many kinds of physical bodies, life itself does not seem to be material.
Instead of defining life itself, Biology must settle for describing common powers found among many or all life forms. This is where the progression of life becomes clear.
Mineral seem to show no signs of life, plants can grow, nourish, heal, and reproduce. Animals can do all that in addition to sensation, locomotion, and consciousness (although some believe that even plants have consciousness). Finally, humans can do all of THAT and use reason.
But once life leaves the body, what is life? Well, life can’t be growth, nourishment, the ability to heal, reproduction, sensation or even reason, since all those things depend on a body to exist. So that leaves consciousness.
For me life is consciousness.
A further question might be to ask, “How do we know that life even exists apart from matter or a body?”
Psychology has studied consciousness, as well as a myriad of other disciplines related to the brain. They seem to conclude that the brain generates consciousness, perhaps similar to the way wood generates a flame, although there are a great number of researchers that hypothesize that the brain interacts with consciousness but is not the source of consciousness. As you can see, it is a sort of “chicken” and “egg” scenario.
To know definitively whether the brain produces consciousness or only interacts with consciousness it is necessary to leave the confines of science and approach the question from a spiritual perspective, hoping to gain at least a subjective experience of soul/consciousness.
You yourself are a piece of consciousness, so go within and study thyself!
I believe that when Socrates said “Know thyself” he meant something along the lines of, “Study thyself.” Answer this question about consciousness by YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE! Is your consciousness produced by your brain or is it independent of the brain and body? That’s an urgent question for humanity today!
I have my answer…
Blessings!