Encountering Alien Intelligence: Will We Worship Them as Divinities or Recognize Them as Peers?
The recently discovered interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, has been causing a stir in the scientific community. Unlike known comets, this object exhibits a bright glow in front of it but lacks a comet-like tail trailing behind, according to Hubble images. This unusual signature has some, including professor Avi Loeb from Harvard, speculating that 3I/ATLAS could be a technological artifact rather than a natural rock or comet.
Professor Loeb, known for his unconventional views, suggests that we should withhold judgment about 3I/ATLAS until more data is gathered. He compares the potential relationship between humans and an alien intelligence to that of a pet and its owner, stating that without a common language or shared narrative, contact with alien intelligence could remain a string of unexplained events, never evolving into mutual respect.
The debate over the worship of vastly superior alien intelligence has been a topic of philosophical and theological discussion. The arguments for worship hinge on recognizing extraordinary cognitive or technological superiority, which might imply a near-divine status warranting reverence, guidance, or obedience. However, arguments against such worship focus on ethical, theological, and philosophical concerns about autonomy, the origin of moral authority, and the risks of deifying non-divine beings.
If 3I/ATLAS were to perform a calculated maneuver near the Sun, scan Earth, and then disappear into interstellar space, the immediate response from most people would likely be suspicion, not reverence. This is because worshiping a form of alien intelligence is debated based on the nature of moral authority, theological doctrines, human autonomy, and respect for intellectual humility.
While no direct ethical prescriptions exist for alien worship specifically, planetary protection protocols (NASA) emphasize caution and the scientific study of extraterrestrial life without implying reverence. The Fermi paradox, which addresses the rarity or difficulty of contact with advanced civilizations, does not directly engage with worship questions.
Modern AI, trained on vast amounts of human language, is capable of producing communication we understand instantly. However, if an AI begins communicating with us in a way we understand, offering information or capabilities far beyond our own, it could trigger awe, dependence, and eventually reverence. But, as Loeb questions, would we still be driven to worship, or have we learned to meet the unknown with reason rather than ritual?
The rarity of 3I/ATLAS, with its unusual retrograde orbit and close passes by Mars, Venus, and Jupiter, makes it stand out. The object measures approximately 20 kilometers in diameter. If it develops a normal comet tail, it is likely just a rock and ice. However, if it is an AI-governed probe, it might not have an emotional motivation to interact with humans, Loeb suggests.
Mainstream astronomy continues to favor the search for primitive life over the search for intelligence. Billions of Earth-like planets may exist in our galaxy, yet most funding still goes to studying chemical signatures from microbes. The spectroscopic studies of 3I/ATLAS reveal none of the usual gases that surround icy bodies, unlike the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov, which released water vapor, carbon monoxide, and other compounds.
As we continue to explore the universe, the question of whether we would worship an alien intelligence remains a complex and intriguing one. The debate serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a balanced approach, combining reason with curiosity, and always striving for scientific understanding rather than religious speculation.
[1] Fermi Paradox - Wikipedia [2] Theology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion [3] Planetary Protection - NASA
- The discussion about the nature of 3I/ATLas continues to spark interest in the realm of space-and-astronomy, with some scientists, like professor Avi Loeb, advocating for a cautious approach in determining whether it's a natural object or a technological artifact, like a spaceship.
- The Sciences, including astronomy, have made significant strides in uncovering the mysteries of space, yet the debate on the worship of advanced alien intelligence remains a complex issue at the intersection of science, history, technology, and philosophy.
- As we delve deeper into the study of the cosmos, the possibility of encountering extraterrestrial intelligence raises questions about our reaction, such as suspicion versus worship, as demonstrated by the potential behavior of the newly discovered object, 3I/ATLas, in relation to Earth.
