%0 Journal Article %T Rethinking life and predicting its origin. %A Gonçalves D %J Theory Biosci %V 0 %N 0 %D 2024 Jun 26 %M 38922566 %F 1.315 %R 10.1007/s12064-024-00420-9 %X The definition, origin and recreation of life remain elusive. As others have suggested, only once we put life into reductionist physical terms will we be able to solve those questions. To that end, this work proposes the phenomenon of life to be the product of two dissipative mechanisms. From them, one characterises extant biological life and deduces a testable scenario for its origin. The proposed theory of life allows its replication, reinterprets ecological evolution and creates new constraints on the search for life.