From Natural to Artificial Life

2010, Tomo 66, Fasc. 4  • Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia

Autor: LUÍS MIGUEL PARREIRA CORREIA

Abstract:

Living organisms have long since been a source of inspiration for humans to build artifacts mimicking their behaviour. Usually models used are quite simple by comparison to their natural sources of inspiration. However, on computers, we have the freedom to test approaches both realistic and outright speculative, from the biological point of view. This article overviews several Artificial Life (ALife) models and their application areas. On the one hand we have models that are currently used as tools in engineering, especially for optimisation, and on the other hand we have environments and models that exhibit properties alike those observed in bio-organisms, that are useful to study and develop biological theories. Therefore, we will describe computer based models, such as artificial neural networks, evolutionary algorithms, artificial immune systems, swarm based algorithms as bio-inspired tools and artificial life environments and autonomous robots in the perspective of artificial beings. A brief reference to biochemistry research, with the nickname of wet ALife, especially oriented to build artificial cells will complete this review. The paper ends with a discussion on the implications of natural versus artificial life.

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