4 ms·
General intelligence evolving independently in another distantly related species implies there is a degree of evolutionary convergence towards this trait given
by ganonm 9y ago
General intelligence evolving independently in another distantly related species implies there is a degree of evolutionary convergence towards this trait given the right selective stimulus. This has implications for the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence and might allow us to rule out the possibility that 'general intelligence' is an astronomically unlikely event - one of the main candidates for a 'Great Filter'.
- 0xfeba 9y agoDawkins mentions this, or maybe indirectly acknowledges it, in The Selfish Gene. Organisms that can pass their ability to adapt on to fast acting nervous centers or even better: large brains, eventually gain a huge advantage. The Great Filter on the other hand, relies on assuming the steps from evolved intelligence (now) to solar system colonization/FTL travel are not only possible, but just a matter of a few millennia or so. Which is a huge assumption.