Why is Abiogenesis Such a Tough Nut to Crack?

Author(s): David Lynn Abel

Natural science explores the roles of the four known forces of physics, statistical mechanics, mass/energy phase changes, mass transfer, and the application of the laws of physics and chemistry to most any problem. But there is one problem a purely physico-chemical approach does not and logically cannot address: abiogenesis’ pursuit and acquisition of functionality. The laws of motion do not perceive, value or pursue “usefulness.” The physics definition of “work” has absolutely nothing to do with utility. Pragmatism is not an issue in an inanimate environment. Yet, every process in life is highly functional and extremely sophisticated in its achievement of function. No basis for evolution exists yet in abiogenesis. Neither molecular stability nor mass self-replication of an RNA analog produces the slightest “biosystem,” let alone a proto-metabolism. Mere complexity doesn’t DO anything. Any hope of real advancement in abiogenesis research requires addressing the problem of an inanimate environment having valued and pursued “usefulness” and “functionality” prior to computational success (the “halting problem”). What is our naturalistic mechanism for this?