Life as an N-P problem is a philosophical, scientific and engineering concern. N-P problems can be understood and worked out via artificial life. However, these problems demand a new understanding of engineering, since engineering is basically a way of acting upon the world. Such a new engineering is known as non-conventional engineering or also as complex systems engineering. Bio-inspired systems are more flexible and allow a higher number of degrees of freedom. As a consequence, AL enlarges our understanding of living systems in general and can be taken as a step forwards in grasping the complexity of life. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.