[Corpora-List] What is corpora and what is not?

[Alexander Yeh]

Laurence Anthony wrote:
> On Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 9:53 AM, Alexander Yeh <asy at mitre.org> wrote:
>>
>> "There is no precise definition of what separates the living from the
>> non-living."
>>
>> "Although there is no definitive resolution to the question of whether
>> viruses can be considered living entities, their ability to pass on genetic
>> information to future generations makes them major players in an
>> evolutionary sense."
>
> The point I was making was not about making a "correct" and "absolute"
> definition. All definitions are open to corrections, adaptions,
> variations, etc. In fact, I would argue that a discussion on
> definition leads to a better understanding of the thing/phenomenon we
> are trying to define.
>
> Nevertheless, scientists are careful to use terms in a very clear and
> precise way. Otherwise, they cannot communicate with each other.
>
>   "There is no precise definition of what separates the living from the
> non-living."
>
> Maybe this is true in biology but I'm sure there is in other cases.
> For example, most doctors and governments have a very precise
> definition of whether or not a person is living or non-living. They
> need it before deciding if we should bury the person or not!
>

This definition though has changed over time, so documents from 
different eras are using different definitions.
Plus I have not checked, but the definition may also vary a bit from one 
part of the world to another




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