> Well that has a prior on life even existing in the first place True, the question of intelligent life evolving can be construed as either: "Given that life

> Well that has a prior on life even existing in the first place True, the question of intelligent life evolving can be construed as either: "Given that life exists, what is the probability of intelligence evolving?" Or: "Given that the universe exists, what is the probability of life arising and evolving intelligence?" Both are actually interesting and important questions (cf. the Drake Equation and Fermi Paradox), but I am pretty comfortable asserting that in the context of this conversation the former interpretation is more apropos.