The Universal Hierarchy of Life - Prof. Chris Kempes [SFI]

This article summarizes Chris Kempes's framework for understanding life beyond Earth-based biology. Kempes proposes a three-level hierarchy: Materials (the physical components), Constraints (universal physical laws), and Principles (evolution and learning). The core idea is that life, regardless of its substrate, will be shaped by these constraints and principles, leading to convergent evolution. The example of the eye illustrates how similar solutions can arise independently due to the underlying physics. The article highlights a shift towards a more universal definition of life, potentially encompassing AI and other non-biological systems.