Problems of the genesis of life

intermediate

PRK_P6S_WG

PRK_P6S_WK

PRK_P6S_UK

PRK_P6S_UU

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the most important natural theories concerning the origin of life and their historical pedigree, with particular emphasis on the contemporary directions of research on the genesis of life. Because the problem of the origin of life can be considered in both natural and philosophical terms, the presented naturalistic approach is the basis for a philosophical analysis of the discussed issue.

The problem of the origin of life can now be considered in both natural and philosophical terms. Nature is the basis for a philosophical analysis of the subject. Final decisions in the subject matter, however, are also dictated by the former in relation to natural assumptions and philosophical solutions. Contemporary natural life theories are based on the results of specialized research in biology, chemistry, physics and astrophysics. Previous attempts at explaining the origin of life referred to superficial observation and may be included in scientific explanations only because of the empirical method used in them. But they usually led to false findings and are now only a historical testimony to the development of the natural sciences and to the search for life. Philosophical considerations (and philosophical implications) play an important role in the construction of biogenesis theory, and their adequate recognition and characterization can be important in terms of ordering the multiplicity of natural theories of the genesis of life.

Basic literature:

1. Korzeniewski B., Powstanie i ewolucja życia, Kraków-Rzeszów 1996.

2. Schopf J. W., Kolebka życia. O narodzinach i najstarszych śladach życia na Ziemi, Warszawa 2002.

3. Znicz L., Pochodzenie życia na Ziemi, Kraków 1993.

4. Crick F., Istota i pochodzenie życia, Warszawa1992.

5. Dyson F., Początki życia, Warszawa 1993.

6. E. Chwedeńczuk, Pochodzenie życia - wyjątkowy akt samorództwa?, Poznań 2011.

7. T. Kucia, Filozofia biogenezy, Londyn 1981.

8. W. Ługowski, Paradoks powstania życia, Warszawa 1987.

9. Egzobiologia czyli poszukiwanie życia w kosmosie, red. W. Dyk, Szczecin 2002.

10. Ługowski W., Filozoficzne podstawy protobiologii, Warszawa 1995.

11. Ślaga Sz. W., Teoria abiogenezy, w: Zarys filozofii przyrody ożywionej, red. S. Mazierski, Lublin 1980, s. 225-278.

12. Świeżyński A., Od idei samorództwa do teorii abiogenezy kosmicznej. Zarys systematyzacji teorii dotyczących pochodzenia życia, Studia Philosophiae Christianae 52(2016)3, s. 131-153

13. Weiner J., Ekologiczne warunki powstania życia na Ziemi, w: Początek świata – Biblia a nauka, red. M. Heller, M. Drożdż, Tarnów 1998, s. 199-210.

14. Życie we wszechświecie, red. T. D. Wabbel, Warszawa 2007.

Additionally:

1. Fry I., The Emergencje of Life on Earth, New Brunswick-New Jersey-London 2000.

2. Hazen R. M., Genesis. The Scientific Quest for Life’s Origin, Washington 2005.

3. Luisi P. L., The Emergence of Life. From Chemical Origins to Synthetic Biology, Cambridge 2006.

4. Wills Ch., Bada J., The Spark of Life. Darwin and the Primeval Soup, New York 2001.

5. Deamer D., First Life, Berkeley-Los Angeles-London 2011.

ECTS [1 ECTS = 30 (25) hours]:

lecture: 0-30 hours

Exam preparation: 30-60 hours

Total of hours (on average): 60 [60/30 (25) = 2]

Number of ECTS: 2

Knowledge:

1. The student knows how the development of the problem of the origin of life has developed

2. The student knows the content of the concept of the origin of life

Skills:

1. The student is able to present and characterize the concepts of the origin of life

2. Student critically evaluates the scientific value of individual concepts of the origin of life

Competence:

1. The student is aware of the importance of natural and philosophical knowledge in shaping the philosophical picture of nature

2. The student strives to update the knowledge of the natural sciences necessary to create the philosophical and natural image of the world.

The final grade consists of:

1. attendance on the scale classes (on-line MS Teams):

15-14 = 5

13 = 4.5

12-11 = 4

10 = 3.5

9-7 = 3

6-0 = 2

(in the case of fewer classes completed the scale will change at the end of the semester)

2. final exam score - oral in the scope of the lecture topic or presentation prepared by the student in the final exam (optional)

(details of presentation and exam will be given during class)

The final grade is the weighted average of the attendance grade (1/3) and the final grade or presentation (2/3).