An exploration of the qualities that separate living things from inanimate objects reveals a set of well-known properties that are characteristic of life. Living things are structurally complex, actively responsive to their environment, and are capable of complex adaptations over time. They take energy from their environment and are specifically adapted to their environment. They also carry within them genetic material that contains information that allows adaptation, and survival and have the quality of reproduction. So, the answer to the question, "What is life?" has reproduction in the answer; reproduction requiring the other 6 qualities be present while the other 6 do not require reproduction. Our purpose is in the definition of life. Reproduction is not merely conception and delivery, but a process initiated with conception, furthered in the uterus, hallmarked at birth and fully accomplished afterwards when childhood ends and adulthood begins wherein a human being with the greatest possible capacities assumes her own direction.

     That reproduction is their purpose does not seem lost on other species. When allowed or not interfered with, animals purposely launch into the business of having and raising young; a process that often presents dangers to the parents as well as requiring great effort.

   Animal parents are noted for their ferocity, for their overarching singleness of purpose and vision as concerning their young. Their sole purpose is their young. They have no hobbies, interests, careers or entertainment. They may drive their young away when they are older but that is because it is time for them to start again with new offspring which speaks again to their purpose. There have been many qualifications, all being discarded or under threat, explaining the difference between man and animals but none claim man is not an animal. Animals use their adaptations, those abilities distinct to their species, to survive and to raise their young. Human beings, animals as well, should use our greatest adaptation, our intelligence, in the full pursuit of raising our young to the full extent that continuous use of intelligence allows.

Intelligence is a parenting tool