Do you believe in aliens?

seekermeister said:

LeeRiley,

Everlong has a very strong point, I'm skeptical on what is/could be out there but I wouldn't go as far as saying WE are the only intelligent life living.

We aren't. We are just the only physical intelligent life.

On Earth ? On The Sun's solar system ? On Milky-way galaxy ? On our Galactic (Milkyway, Andromeda, Large Magellanic Cloud and Small Magellanic Cloud) local cluster ?

Or on what scale ? Do we even know what is the all possible sets of scales ? Who can guarantee, and on what basis that there is not a planet beyond trillions of parsecs where all the possible conditions of development of life and evolution fulfills, and it happened many a years ago ? Or, just in a primitive stage ?

Moreover, in which degree of certainty we could speak that the condition of earth is the only feasible condition of development of intelligent being ?

A very little probability becomes a huge amount, based on how large the population is, and universe is infinite, in true sense .

Arc said:

seekermeister said:

LeeRiley,

Everlong has a very strong point, I'm skeptical on what is/could be out there but I wouldn't go as far as saying WE are the only intelligent life living.

We aren't. We are just the only physical intelligent life.

On Earth ? On The Sun's solar system ? On Milky-way galaxy ? On our Galactic (Milkyway, Andromeda, Large Magellanic Cloud and Small Magellanic Cloud) local cluster ?

Or on what scale ? Do we even know what is the all possible sets of scales ? Who can guarantee, and on what basis that there is not a planet beyond trillions of parsecs where all the possible conditions of development of life and evolution fulfills, and it happened many a years ago ? Or, just in a primitive stage ?

Moreover, in which degree of certainty we could speak that the condition of earth is the only feasible condition of development of intelligent being ?

A very little probability becomes a huge amount, based on how large the population is, and universe is infinite, in true sense .

OK you win.

Dinesh said:

OK you win.

Not me But Black Holes and baby Universes and Other Essays

seekermeister said:

Everlong said:

seekermeister said:

Of course, my answer is obvious, but I can't explain why without violating forum rules. Even if I were to limit my explanations to logic, that would take much more time and space than is practical for this thread.

EDIT: It would be easier to go the reverse...most people who believe in aliens, do so with the logic that the vastness of the universe requires life on other planets just by citing the odds.

So I visit a remote mountain lake. I see it has fish in it. Am I to automatically assume this is the only mountain lake to have fish in it, and every other remote lake is to have none despite not visiting any other lake?

Or say I'm told that the ocean has fish in it, but I've never seen one. I go out to the ocean with a glass and scoop up water, but I don't catch any fish in my glass. Is my conclusion that because I didn't catch any in such a small sample of water, there isn't any?

I believe that what your logic is called is a red herring:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j..._G4Vg2ZOxcsQqQ

And can you explain where my error in logic is? I've used an analogy that's closer to home.

DustSailor said:

You will never see an alien in your life. Besides Brink

I beg to differ with you sir!!

Tews said:

DustSailor said:

You will never see an alien in your life. Besides Brink

I beg to differ with you sir!!

Hopalong X said:

ICit2lol said:

Hopalong X said:

This was a fun thread.
Now that the serious philisophical issues have gone unresolved they should be continued on a different thread if desired by others...

Well Hoppy I still stand by what I said and anyway we have proof they exist - you're riding one!

Topper is on vacation.
He left the UK last week. They had too much snow.
He was headed for a walk about down under.

So don't be surprised when he shows up knocking at your door wanting to check his email and log in to seven forums.

Hide the Guinness.

Cripes Hoppy I hope he wears that lippy again and I think he / she errr whatever could do with some decent eyeliner too mate - you cutting down on his errrr her oh blow it I'm all confused now. Toppie's allowance?

Why Guinness mate he' - no aint goin there again - will have to settle for coffee - don't drink (booze anymore)

Tews said:

DustSailor said:

You will never see an alien in your life. Besides Brink

I beg to differ with you sir!!

Dang, should have known you'd come back to planet earth again, Tews! Its all those gorgeous blondes we have here huh?