Astrobiological Perspectives on Consciousness
Nature Precedings November 18, 2010 DOI: 10.1038/npre.2010.5286.1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that although amino acid-based life is probably ubiquitous in the universe, extraterrestrial life forms are unlikely to follow Earth's contingent evolutionary trajectory. Many are likely to be conscious in recognizable ways, but few would develop high-order technology, and communication with any that did would be possible only at a basic level and with profound difficulty. |
Abstract
Abstract The Stanley Miller experiment suggests that amino acid-based life is ubiquitous in our universe, although its varieties are not likely to have followed the particular, highly contingent and path-dependent, trajectory found on Earth. Are many of these life forms likely to be conscious in ways that we would recognize? Almost certainly. Will many conscious entities develop high order technology? Less likely. If so, will we be able to communicate with them? Only on a basic level, and only with profound difficulty. The argument is straightforward.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
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