I would distinguish between living and a non-living systems by whether something reacts. Does the system make changes when acted upon? Something that is alive adjusts itself after an event takes place, reconfigures. Living things grow. Non-living things remain the same.
I agree that society determines race. Race is a system of categorization. Like other categories, its limits are determined more or less arbitrarily. The boundaries of race differ in different cultures, just as the perception of colors differ in different cultures.
DNA studies reveal that there are more genetic differences within given 'races' than between them.
Given this, 'race' is a very real thing sociologically.
Your definition of what makes something living inspired some thought. I think I was reading another student's blog that mentioned a piece of paper and it's state of not being alive. The ability to react seems like a reasonable one, but what is the tool of measurement? I imagine that there could be some changes in paper that are imperceptible at first, or in a rock? On a molecular level. For instance, right before paper burns if a flame is lit near it, or right before some solid material melts? Is there not some change and some reaction the environment since it beings to physically or even chemically change? It's interesting to consider how we determine life.
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