Thursday, April 17, 2008

On the Low Possibility of Finding Intelligent Extra-Terrestrials

A British scientist has recently tried to estimate the probability of finding intelligent extra-terrestrial life. He says that the likelihood of intelligent life to develop on other planets than Earth is extremely low. I believe this to be true.

However, I have to comment on one thing that this scientist said: "The view that evolution involves a predictable progression, such that the emergence of intelligence is inevitable, is today generally considered to be overly anthropocentric." Well, while it is good science to try not to view Earth's life's evolution as a blueprint for most life's evolutions, it would suit this scientist well not to be so anthropocentric that only humans are mentioned in the context of intelligent life on Earth. Dogs (and our wild cousins wolves) are also a very intelligent species. I know many dogs who are a lot more intelligent than many humans. When talking about intelligent life on Earth, I believe that we, and perhaps even some other mammals, should also be mentioned.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Klart vi är grymt smarta. Jag vet hur man går i trappor med bara tre ben. Hur många mattar och hussar skulle räknat ut det, dagen efter en op? Jag tycker också att jag bör få en burgare. :)

Daily Hailey said...

Jag och de övriga hundarna i min flock fick köttfärs att äta i kväll. Det skulle man inte lyckas med utan att vara smart. ;)