Definition of intelligent life

Answer 1

SETI, a project that actively attempts to contact life on other planets by transmitting nonstop signal into space has defined intelligent life as "aliens with radios", meaning life on other worlds that has the capacity to receive and respond to their message. Somewhat tongue in cheek, this is a poor definition as humans were intelligent, self aware, etc. long before electronic technology.

Some people would say intelligence is the ability to ask questions and ponder the self. Others define intelligence as the capacity to learn and respond dynamically to stimuli.

The truth is, intelligence need not come in the form of verbal thought patterns. Nor is intelligence confined to the human notion of ego and reflection.

It is absolutely the height of arrogance to assume that human beings are the standard for measuring all intelligence. Our species probably existed for millions of years before adopting written languages - were we not intelligent before we started scribbling symbols into stone tablets?

It is likely that science will someday admit the following: Intelligence, or consciousness, is the very nature of our cosmos. The force that forms stars is the same subtle power that animates our bodies and causes plants to grow toward the light; many philosophers call this universal intelligence.

Medicine has declared the cells in our body conscious units that learn and communicate with clear intelligence. Does this mean they have names like Bob and Linda, and talk on cell phones while taking their offspring to soccer practice?

The best answer to your question is likely abstract. Science and religion will insist you take their primitive, limited answers as the ultimate truth but if you take a step back and observe the world around you it's obvious the very fabric of space-time exhibits an intelligence beyond description.

Albert Einstein said:

"Natural law… reveals an INTELLIGENCE of such superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection."

And physicist Max Planck said:

"There is no matter as such. All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particles of an atom to vibration and holds this minute solar system of the atom together"

"We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent Mind. This Mind is the matrix of all matter." I hope this helps you find the answer to your question.