Do aliens dream of offworld sheep?
International Journal of Astrobiology July 30, 2018 DOI: 10.1017/s1473550418000289 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that while amino-acid-based life is likely common in the universe, alien life will not mirror Earth's contingent evolutionary trajectory. The authors contend that many alien organisms are likely to be individually conscious in recognizable ways, that consciousness likely requires a sleep cycle, and that some species may develop analogs to culture and high-order technology, though less likely. Communication with such species 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 will not have followed the particular, highly contingent and path-dependent, evolutionary trajectory found on Earth. Are many alien organisms likely to be individually conscious in ways we would recognize? Almost certainly. Will alien consciousness require a ‘sleep cycle’? A strong argument suggests it will. Can some species develop analogs to culture and high-order technology? Less likely, but still fairly probable. If so, will we be able to communicate with them? Only on a basic level, and only with profound difficulty. The reasoning is fairly direct and involves convolution of a learned heritage system with individual and collective consciousness.
Citations in the library
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and 3 more in the library