What does the conceptual framework of symbiosis have to offer us?
Symbiosis: An interaction between individuals of different species (symbiants). The term symbiosis is usually restricted to interactions in which both species benefit but it may be used for other close associations. Many symbioses are obligatory (i.e. the participants cannot survive without the interactions); for example, a lichen is an obligatory symbiotic relationship between a blue-green bacterium and a fungus.
–Oxford Concise Science Dictionary, p. 709
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So much is being said here: “An interaction between individuals of different species...usually restricted...but may be used...”
The number of different types of relationships are enormous, ranging from the extremely negative to the extremely positive.
But one thing stands out in terms of its consistency.
The third edition of the American Heritage Dictionary defines species as, “A fundamental category of taxonomic classification.”
Taxonomy is then defined as, “The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships.”
Natural relationship is the key word.
The operative idea for the concept of symbiosis is natural relationship.
What is a natural relationship?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines natural as, “present in or produced by nature.”
Nature is then defined as, “the forces and processes that produce and control all the phenomena of the material world.”
Relationship is defined as, “the condition or fact of being related: connection or association.”
A symbiotic relationship does not have to be one involving physical life forms.
It is simply a natural relationship between symbiants, related life forms having some form of connection or association where they depend upon each other to some degree.
Spiritual or living abstract life forms could exist in a symbiotic relationship.
•
It is interesting to note that, for thousands of years, religions have been telling us we have some form of connection, association with an abstract entity that produced the universe.
Over time, our perceived relationship with the Causative Force has changed.
There is nothing to date indicating that our understanding of this relationship is complete.
Symbiosis: An interaction between individuals of different species (symbiants). The term symbiosis is usually restricted to interactions in which both species benefit but it may be used for other close associations. Many symbioses are obligatory (i.e. the participants cannot survive without the interactions); for example, a lichen is an obligatory symbiotic relationship between a blue-green bacterium and a fungus.
–Oxford Concise Science Dictionary, p. 709
•
So much is being said here: “An interaction between individuals of different species...usually restricted...but may be used...”
The number of different types of relationships are enormous, ranging from the extremely negative to the extremely positive.
But one thing stands out in terms of its consistency.
The third edition of the American Heritage Dictionary defines species as, “A fundamental category of taxonomic classification.”
Taxonomy is then defined as, “The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships.”
Natural relationship is the key word.
The operative idea for the concept of symbiosis is natural relationship.
What is a natural relationship?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines natural as, “present in or produced by nature.”
Nature is then defined as, “the forces and processes that produce and control all the phenomena of the material world.”
Relationship is defined as, “the condition or fact of being related: connection or association.”
A symbiotic relationship does not have to be one involving physical life forms.
It is simply a natural relationship between symbiants, related life forms having some form of connection or association where they depend upon each other to some degree.
Spiritual or living abstract life forms could exist in a symbiotic relationship.
•
It is interesting to note that, for thousands of years, religions have been telling us we have some form of connection, association with an abstract entity that produced the universe.
Over time, our perceived relationship with the Causative Force has changed.
There is nothing to date indicating that our understanding of this relationship is complete.
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