Scientific Inquiry and Its Predictions

Scientific exploration allows us to formulate and evaluate hypotheses. These hypotheses enable us to foresee possibilities. Although we have yet to detect life beyond our planet, prior to human footsteps on the moon, no one had ever touched another celestial body. Yet, astronauts were not deterred by the fear of drifting into the cosmos; they relied on established theories of gravity that had been rigorously tested.

This same principle applies to our understanding of life. As we deepen our comprehension of biological processes, we can extrapolate predictions about the potential for life in other parts of the universe and throughout history.

Life Beyond Earth

As we uncover more about life’s beginnings on Earth, the processes of evolution, and the emergence of intelligence, we can begin to address the question of how many other intelligent life forms may exist in the cosmos. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) has been ongoing, yet results have been sparse. Our exploration has merely skimmed the surface of our celestial neighborhood, implying that life could be more prevalent than we think.

To estimate the number of civilizations capable of making contact with us, we can utilize the Drake Equation, which incorporates various factors, such as the rate of star formation and the likelihood of planets hosting life. However, without accurate values for these variables, the equation offers limited utility. Numerous studies provide differing conclusions based on varying assumptions, including a recent study suggesting that life forms after approximately 5 billion years, similar to Earth’s timeline (Westby and Conselice 2020). A more precise understanding is essential.

Available Knowledge

So, what resources do we have? We possess a single example of life emerging from non-life, which is somewhat limiting. However, we have a wealth of examples showcasing the diverse forms life can take and the environments in which it can flourish.

Intelligent Life on Earth

The Drake Equation aims to estimate civilizations capable of communication, rather than all life forms. While some might suggest that humans represent the sole example of intelligent life, I contend that communication requires both language and technology. For instance, spiders and ants exhibit intelligence and social communication, yet they lack the capacity for abstract language. Even primates, known for tool use, often rely on trial and error rather than social learning.

In contrast, dolphins display cultural traits, including language and the ability to teach tool use, leading me to view them as non-human persons. Thus, rather than having just one instance of intelligent life, we recognize several examples on Earth.

About My Paper

What does "The Progression of Life: Before, Now, and in the Future; Here and Elsewhere" specifically address regarding these inquiries? Below is a brief overview.

Evolution and abiogenesis are traditionally treated as separate subjects within biology. However, recent studies exploring the connections between thermodynamics, life, and complexity suggest a close relationship. By utilizing groundbreaking research in these areas, I propose that thermodynamics exerts a universal selective influence, or entropic pressure, across atomic, molecular, biological, and societal levels, leading to intriguing outcomes. Further research is necessary to enhance our understanding of the interplay between thermodynamics, complexity, abiogenesis, and evolution. Comprehending entropic pressure could enable us to make reliable predictions about historical life forms and the potential nature of life in the future, as well as inform our understanding of life's rarity beyond Earth.

Essentially, emerging theories in thermodynamics and complexity seem to connect abiogenesis and evolution, which could further research into synthetic life and evolution, leading to a continuous cycle of refinement in our understanding. If validated, these theories could allow us to predict how life may evolve in the future and elsewhere in the universe.

Originally published on Vocal.Media in Futurism as "The Progression of Life"

Further Reading

Navigation: Master Index | Anthropology | Natural Science

In discussions of evolution, we often differentiate between micro and macro evolution. However, these distinctions can be subjective, stemming from the species problem—the challenge of defining species in a biologically rigorous manner.

The Earth Species

While we commonly perceive our biosphere as a collection of diverse species, biologists have long grappled with...

One major hurdle in researching extraterrestrial life is the immense distance involved. While traveling faster than light may be a theoretical possibility, even near-light-speed travel could take decades or centuries to reach inhabited worlds. A potential solution could lie in extending human lifespans, thereby alleviating the impact of these vast distances.

If We Can’t Go Faster, Let’s Live Longer

Exploring how prolonged lifespans might facilitate space travel.