Theoretical Exploration And Philosophical Reflection Of Artificial Life

The computer revolution in the 20th century has triggered a methodology revolution ---- the computer simulation experiments --- which generates the birth of artificial life, a front porch subject crossed computer and biology. Great progress has been made in artificial life ever since it was invented and various models have emerged one after another, such as Thomas Ray’s Tierra, C.Adami’s Avida and A.N.Pargellis’s Ameoba, showing us the achievements in this field.The invention and development of artificial life has brought us huge influence. On the one hand, artificial life provides us with a new tool to study complex systems. We cannot simulate all the complex systems in the laboratory, but theoretically, artificial life can make it possible, solving a problem which is beyond the capacity of traditional artificial intelligence. On the other hand, artificial life has exerted profound effect on many traditional concepts. For example, questions have been asked that whether the artificial life is the same as the life in the nature, or what are the relations between artificial life and artificial intelligence, what are the relations between life and spirit, whether artificial life has a mind, or what is the core of its emergence and evolution, whether artificial life explain the life computation the same as the dynastic interpretation of traditional biology. These questions have a huge impact on our traditional philosophy of biology.In view of the questions above, this article will discuss the artificial life in many aspects on the basis of philosophy of biology. Firstly, there will be introductions of artificial life’s origination, development, basic types, core concept, construction method and specific examples. With the fundamental knowledge, a variety of philosophical questions about artificial life will be analysed and discussed, including the essence of life, emergence and evolution, computationalism, ethical issues, spiritual thinking.