| Abstract: | Concepts from evolutionary biology are conjoined with a Kantian- and Nietzschian-based critique to demonstrate that our human concepts and perspectives are hopelessly 'earthbound.' Unless the caprice of evolutionary biology on some Earth-like planet replicates the evolutionary history of Earth, we shall not recognise alien intelligence. To suggest that another planet is likely to produce a recognisable intelligence because its evolutionary history is similar to ours is simply absurd, but will seem absurd only to those with a knowledge of bio-evolution, an understanding of our linguistic and syntactical abilities, and concepts of space, time, and causality. This conclusion may appear heavy-handed, even pedestrian. However, a closer scrutiny reveals that it is the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence which is naive. |
