I actually have two questions. If whatever killed the dinosaurs didn't occur and mammals did not rise, would the dinosaurs have necessarily evolved an intelligent species? Also, should we ever actually make it to other planets, would every single planet have a dominant intelligent species or is it just a lucky break for us?
2007-05-28 07:46:51 · 6 answers · asked by Sharon M 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Anything that confers an advantage over other species would be perpetuated in ensuing generations. Intelligence is one way that a species can outcompete another. For example, human intelligence - including language, forethought, prediction and imitation - has allowed us to develop tools to subdue other species (mostly). However, there are probably other ways to dominate life. Maybe if we were invisible, we'd be able to trick other animals and would always win. The problem with being invisible, however, is that you'd have a hard time figuring out how to see the world (see physics people for explanations).
Although evolution is not supposed to have a direction, I think that intelligence must be the top evolutionary achievement. So far, anyway, it is the best adaptation around. That's why the human populations expands and seems to continue growing despite a lack of resources. In other species, a lack of resources = a smaller population.
The next step in evolution will be the merging of biology and technology. You can think of technology as an extension of biology, since biological organisms created it and can control it (not getting into the idea of computers taking over the world). Again, this has to do with intelligence - finding a way to make computers efficient and able to perform the same tasks as humans.
As for the dinosaurs, the more intelligent ones might have figured out ways to survive for longer. Evolution would take its course, and the species would gradually shift to be more intelligent. However, language is not necessarily the outcome - that would require a massive change in vocal cord, tongue and lip structure, along with major changes in the brain. But hey, it could happen.
As for the other planets. . .anyone who tells you that it's not possible is an idiot. We're the merest speck of the universe here, and it would be extremely pretentious to say that life couldn't have evolved anywhere else, especially since we haven't been everywhere. But that doesn't mean that life isn't a lucky break in itself!
2007-05-28 08:28:31 · answer #1 · answered by Sci Fi Insomniac 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
> Is intelligence a necessary evolutionary outcome?
Nope. Evolution appears to be undirected.
> would the dinosaurs have necessarily evolved an intelligent species?
Nope. There were agile highly developed dinosaurs for millions of years, but none ever developed the same sort of technological civilization that we've enjoyed for the past three hundred years.
> would every single planet have a dominant intelligent species
Most planets will have no life at all. Of the ones that have life, most will not have intelligent life now. Of the ones that have intelligent life -- most of those civilizations will be millions of years older than ours!
2007-05-28 15:12:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
What is the mark of successful evolutionary adaptation? If it is longevity, then dinosaurs have outlasted us so far by alot. If it is progress we have done in a mere 100,000-500,000 years what dinosaurs couldn't do in 100 million years. I don't believe that dinosaurs would have evolved into intelligent life. The evolutionary pressures were not there. And I don't think more time would have made a big difference. But are we likely to last 100 million years?
I agree that we might have the ability to foresee and prevent certain catastrophic natural disasters, but our society is so complex and our use of natural resources so rampant that this may eventually do us in. Historically what has kept the human population in check has been war, plague and infections, starvation, and available resources.
2007-05-28 15:18:04 · answer #3 · answered by misoma5 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe intelligence is a necessary outcome of evolution. Especially for complex organisms like us. If any celestial disaster were to happen in the future, only an intelligent species that can foresee such a disaster and find ways to protect itself will be able to survive. All other species in that planet will have to die.
If dinosaurs did survive, they would have evolved into an organism that is more intelligent.
Your speculation of one intelligent species in every planet..... I guess thats is highly possible. But why just one intelligent species. Other primates are intelligent too. They are just not as intelligent as we are...
2007-05-28 15:03:50 · answer #4 · answered by mad g 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't forget, we could still go the other way too.
The human race could very easily become less intelligent over time. There are more "junk" mutations than "good" mutations. The gene and chromosome structure does not improve from generation to generation.
2007-05-28 23:31:50 · answer #5 · answered by gatorbait 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, intelligence is related to the soul and not evolution. Evolution only affects the body. The brain is the souls storage area. The soul is by nature indestrucable, and much of what we know relates directly to physical existence. So after we shed our physical forms we no longer require such knowledge.
2007-05-28 14:56:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋