LST is a comprehensive conceptual framework of related definitions, assumptions, and
propositions for investigating life. It views existence, from the perspective of living
systems, as an integrated, evolving hierarchy of matter, energy, and information. Living
systems are defined within a scheme of all systems as concrete open systems, with
purposes and goals, and ranging in a hierarchy from cells to supranational systems.
They are composed of subsystems integrated to process inputs, throughputs, and outputs
of various forms of matter, energy, and information