The assumptions that intelligence is substrate-independent, as well as that intelligent systems will always attempt to become more intelligent lead to the conclusion that, in the words of Paul Davies, “if we ever encounter extraterrestrial intelligence, it is overwhelmingly likely to be post-biological”.
It seems like a daft thing to say. Biology is the study of life. Aliens would be alive—and thus plainly biological—for anyone using sensible definitions of these terms.
It seems like a daft thing to say. Biology is the study of life. Aliens would be alive—and thus plainly biological—for anyone using sensible definitions of these terms.