The enduring value of Gánti׳s chemoton model and life criteria: Heuristic pursuit of exact theoretical biology

• Gánti׳s chemoton concept and life criteria are heuristics rather than definitions.
• Chemotons are autocatalytic chemical super-systems that satisfy Gánti׳s life criteria.
• Gánti׳s model can effectively guide theoretical and empirical research even if false.

Gánti׳s chemoton model of the minimal chemical organization of living systems and life criteria for the living state and a living world are characterized. It is argued that these are better interpreted as part of a heuristic pursuit of an exact theoretical biology than as a “definition of life.” Several problems with efforts to define life are discussed. Clarifying the proper use of Gánti׳s ideas to serve constructive engineering idealizations helps to show their enduring value.