If a creature similar in intelligence to a dolphin is found on another planet

[TechBoyJK]

So let's say we find a planet which is mostly liquid ocean, and we discover it has sea creatures like our ocean. If we were to find a creature this is similar in intelligence to that of a smart dolphin, would you consider than having found intelligent life? Or do you consider intelligent life something like us or smarter than us? Obviously dolphins aren't going to be building space ships and do intergalactic traveling....

 

[DesiPower]

From NASA

Question

What is the definition of intelligent life? Is it the abilty to analyze situations and react in the correct way, or is the complexity the primary issue?

This is a diffficult question, and I have never found a satisfactory answer. This question is sometimes addressed in books and articles on SETI (for example, in "Extraterrestrials: Science and Alien Intelligence", edited by Edward Regis, Cambridge University Press, 1985), but from the SETI perspective intelligence must include the ablity to transmit and receive signals over interstellar distances (that is, technological intelligence). More generally, Carl Sagan wrote (in "Cosmic Connection," recently reprinted by Cambridge University Press) that intelligence involves the tendency toward control of the environment -- including a non-hereditary adaptive quality developed during the lifetime of a single individual (that is, intelligent creatures can learn). Other more recent definitions have been suggested by those working in the field of artificial intelligence. Good luck with this pursuit!

David Morrison
NAI Senior Scientist
May 6, 2004

So no, I wont...

 

[child of wonder]

We would have to nuke the planet from orbit because life on other planets goes against the Jesus.

 

[rcpratt]

If we find an alien dolphin, I'm going to impregnate it.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

If we find an alien dolphin, I'm going to impregnate it.

The female alien dolphin vagina is 6 ft wide and lined with razorsharp teeth! I'd like to see you try.

 

[I Saw OJ]

We would probably enslave it or do something to push it to the brink of extinction.

 

[PottedMeat]

We would probably enslave it or do something to push it to the brink of extinction.

Exactly.

1. Does it taste good?
2. Can it do simple repetitive tasks without complaint?

 

[bunnyfubbles]

I wouldn't trust it, probably just pretending to be only smart as a dolphin.

Although honestly if the life we find couldn't understand that we are aliens then yes it would not be intelligent. So life similar to early/undeveloped humans would count as long as we could communicate in some fashion.

 

[dainthomas]

So let's say we find a planet which is mostly liquid ocean, and we discover it has sea creatures like our ocean. If we were to find a creature this is similar in intelligence to that of a smart dolphin, would you consider than having found intelligent life? Or do you consider intelligent life something like us or smarter than us? Obviously dolphins aren't going to be building space ships and do intergalactic traveling....

I'm of the opinion that dolphins are as smart as us, and the only thing stopping them from killing us for being such a-holes is a lack of opposable digits. How advanced would our civilization be if we had flippers instead of arms?

So to answer your question, yes I would consider that intelligent life.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Apparently so difficult it requires three 'f's.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Ehhh ... if it was as smart as a dolphin, and the planet had an atmosphere somewhat similar to earth, and also it was on land, then it could evolve to master fire and tools.

In the ocean, without being able to master fire, I think the abillity to form a civilization is somewhat limited. It's more complicated than simply having intelligence.

 

[acheron]

Ehhh ... if it was as smart as a dolphin, and the planet had an atmosphere somewhat similar to earth, and also it was on land, then it could evolve to master fire and tools.

In the ocean, without being able to master fire, I think the abillity to form a civilization is somewhat limited. It's more complicated than simply having intelligence.

Dolphins Evolve Opposable Thumbs -- 'Oh Shit' Say Scientists

 

[bunnyfubbles]

I'm of the opinion that dolphins are as smart as us, and the only thing stopping them from killing us for being such a-holes is a lack of opposable digits. How advanced would our civilization be if we had flippers instead of arms?

So to answer your question, yes I would consider that intelligent life.

Are you one of those dolphin nutjobs that Penn & Teller did an episode on?

 

[rudder]

ET dolphin fin soup... I would make millions.

 

[HumblePie]

Thanks for all the fishes!

 

[disappoint]

Well it is sentient, and it can procreate so yes I would consider it intelligent life by definition. But I would not get too excited over it. I would read a couple of articles on it and then forget all about it. All the while hoping they leave the effin thing alone in case it harbors some unknown virus or bacteria we have little to no defense over (except quarantine).

 

[Fear No Evil]

I'd want to see how they taste grilled up rare with some ginger teriyaki sauce first before making any rash judgments on their intelligence.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Uh we can't even come close to leaving our solar system so lets not worry so much about this for now.

 

[darkxshade]

Lets find some on our planet first before we go out looking for it elsewhere... this intelligence you speak of.