Automobile Quote by Wallace Johnson
““This brings me back to the statement that thee is no such thing as living matter. In the cell, all the parts and pieces are separate units, working precisely together, but not themselves alive. Life is not IN any of these parts and pieces, just as in your automobile, there is no automobility in any piece or part, in a spark plug or a carburetor needle. Automobility is a superior quality which coheres to the total motor car to the total motor car. Similarly, life is a super-quality that coheres to the total cell.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Biology or philosophy discussion, date unknown
Life emerges from the coordinated interaction of non-living parts, forming a quality greater than the sum of its parts.
In simple terms: Life is a whole created by parts working together.
Key Takeaway
Recognize emergent properties in systems.
Themes
emergence
interconnectedness
holism
biology
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- cell biology
- technology design
- ecosystem management
- team dynamics
Key Concepts
systems theory
philosophy of mind
complexity
Questions to Reflect On
- What examples show emergence in everyday life?
- How do we nurture cooperation among parts?
A Different Perspective
Complex systems can fail if parts are misaligned.
![“To my mind, the theory of [evolution] does not stand up at all. If living matter is not, then, caused by the interplay of atoms, natural forces, and radiation [i.e., time, chance, and chemistry], how has it come into being? I think, however, that we must go further than this and admit that the…” quote by Henry Lipson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fbe/henry-lipson-67301_acceptable_to-my-mind-the-theory-of-evolution-does_204667.jpg)
