Langton, In C., C. Taylor, D. Farmer, and S. Rasmussen. “Measurement of Evolutionary Activity, Teleology, and Life.” (1996).
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We consider how to discern weather or not evolution is taking place in an observed system. Evolution will be characterized in terms of particular microscopic behavior that emerge from microscopic organism interaction. We define evolutionary activity as the rate in which genetic innovation are absorbed into the population. After measuring evolutionary activity in a simple model biosphere we discus applications to other systems. We argue evolutionary activity provides an objective, Quantitative interpretation of the intuitive idea of biological technology. We also propose using evolutionary activity in a test for life.