"Life is simply the reification of the process of living"

Ernst Mayr's quote, "Life is simply the reification of the process of living", offers a thought-provoking point of view on the principle of life itself. To analyze this declaration, we must deconstruct the key elements: reification, process, and living.

Reification describes the improvement of an abstract idea into something concrete or more tangible. In this context, Mayr suggests that "life" is an abstraction that we attempt to make concrete by looking at "the process of living". Life, as an abstract, all-encompassing idea, can typically seem elusive or difficult to define. Nevertheless, when decreased to its components, the everyday actions and interactions that consist of living, life becomes more concrete and understandable.

The "procedure of living" refers to the dynamic, continuous actions and interactions-- at both the biological and experiential levels-- that manifest as life. This includes the myriad biochemical processes in cells, the broader environmental interactions within environments, in addition to the individual experiences and choices made by individuals. Living is active and transient, needing consistent input and adjustment.

By framing life as a reification of this procedure, Mayr emphasizes that conversations about life need to concentrate on the actions and procedures associated with living, instead of trying to specify life as a fixed entity. This perspective can be seen as an exercise in stressing the vibrant nature of life, eliminating it from a pedestal of abstraction, and focusing on the actions themselves.

In essence, Mayr's view encourages a shift from seeing life as an immutable object to understanding it as an emerging home arising from various interactions and procedures. This analysis lines up with his more comprehensive consider as an evolutionary biologist, where life is understood through the lens of modification, development, and adaptation. By focusing on living processes, we get richer insights into what makes up life, highlighting that the essence of life depends on its continual unfolding rather than in any singular definition.