Fair enough.
Could you explain why you think it is illogical to believe that it is probable that intelligent life has evolved more than once in our universe, given what we know about life here on Earth?
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Do you believe in aliens?
- Thread starter Ori
- Start date
Could you explain why you think it is illogical to believe that it is probable that intelligent life has evolved more than once in our universe, given what we know about life here on Earth?
Because there is zero basis for asserting such a probability.
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
The fact that intelligent life arose here, within the framework of the physical laws of our universe, provides the basis - particularly, when the scale and age of our universe is taken into account. There is no way to determine a probability, but there is a definite logical basis for asserting that the probability is higher than zero.
JMorris
Democratic Socialist
a big empty universe full of nothing but rocks and gas. glad to know humans are so special. gives me a nice comforting warm feeling to know that im special. i mean, theres so much life here, on this planet, this must be the only planet with life. because we're special. where's my special sticker i can put on my forhead? *sarcasm*
Dezzie
Well-Known Member
I am a true believer of another "kind". I definitely do not think we are the only ones in this universe. Let's not be selfish now... there can't only be us in existence. Look at how large the universe is... there are so many different galaxies! I think that there is all this evidence of them in front of our eyes, we are just so slow and close minded to see it. If you didn't want another civilization to know about you in fear of being destroyed and tested on, you would conceil yourself as well as possible too. I think the other living beings out there are good at keeping themselves hidden.
JMorris
Democratic Socialist
your missing the point, we're special, the earth is special. so there cant be other life in the universe. i mean life is so hard to come by, thats why it can only happen here, because we're special. it dosent matter how many possibilities there are, we're just special *sarcasm*
Dezzie
Well-Known Member
JMorris
Democratic Socialist
Dezzie
Well-Known Member
your just jealous cuz you dont have a gold "Im special" star sticker
Oh man! You caught me...
Runewolf1973
Materialism/Animism
Are we not aliens to anything else that may be out THERE? If aliens (humans) can exist on this planet, then it is quite likely they exist elsewhere as well.
rojse
RF Addict
Again, quite likely based on what? We don't know the probability of life arising here on earth, so to claim it is "quite likely" to have arose elsewhere is quite a leap of faith.
Runewolf1973
Materialism/Animism
So what's wrong with that? We ARE aliens. Aliens to everything else in the Universe. I am open to the possibility that we are not the only aliens.
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JMorris
Democratic Socialist
regardless of the probability of life arising here on earth, life arose. and if it could happen here, regardless of of the probability of it happening here, why would you assume that this planet is the only this planet is the only one to come by this probability? its just silly. i might go along with that if the solar system was the entire universe, but there are BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of planets inside BILLIONS of BILLIONS of galaxies. given that much potential, then why would you assume earth is the only one to come having life?
rojse
RF Addict
I consider myself an agnostic in regards to alien life-forms. Would I like there to be aliens? Yes (presuming they are peaceful towards us). Am I going to presume they exist? No. There is a possibility they exist, not a certainty, and we don't know enough about extrasolar planets or how life began on Earth to make serious judgement calls about the existence of aliens.
JMorris
Democratic Socialist
no where have i said that i wanted there to be aliens. it just seems inevitable that there are aliens. the fact is, life happened here. this planet is among a countless many, if it can happen here, it can happen elsewhere. an absense of knowledge is not a knowledge of absense
First of all ...
- What "can happen" is not the same as what must inevitably happen.
- You misquote Sagan who said "the absence of proof is not proof of absence" and, in fact, no one in this thread has argued otherwise.
If, for whatever reason, the genus Homo failed to occur, do you think terrestrial intelligence and sapience would have 'inevitably' evolved and, if so, why?
JMorris
Democratic Socialist
well, first, i honestly wasnt aware i was quoting anyone. i just said what came to me, i wasnt aware Sagan or anyone else had said it first.
and secondly, why not? ill concede its not inevitable everywhere. but i have no reason it wouldnt happen in other places. i really dont see any reason at all. im not really sure why you are so determined that there be no life other than life on earth, but i see that as a near impossibility given the vastness of the universe. and given the vastness, what "can happen" undoubtedly happens again.
Never mind ...
Jay, as far as I can tell, the only difference between your position and our position is that you believe intelligent life to be unlikely, and we believe it to be likely.
The argument for "likely" is that since natural laws allowed intelligent life to arise once, it is not impossible for it to arise again. Thus, the possibility is greater than 0. This possibility is then bolstered by the vastness of the universe, and the fact that the conditions on our planet that gave rise to life need not be unique.
The argument for "unlikely", as you present it, is based upon a misconception of evolution. Speaking of which, have you reconsidered your position, based upon post 80?
The argument for "likely" is that since natural laws allowed intelligent life to arise once, it is not impossible for it to arise again. Thus, the possibility is greater than 0. This possibility is then bolstered by the vastness of the universe, and the fact that the conditions on our planet that gave rise to life need not be unique.
The argument for "unlikely", as you present it, is based upon a misconception of evolution. Speaking of which, have you reconsidered your position, based upon post 80?
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