What if advanced aliens arrive on Earth, how would U convince them U are an intelligent being with feelings.?

Question

Assume you are a philosopherHow would you communicate that you and they are mentally alike even if morphologically and physiologically you and they appear very different?

Remember this Q has been raised in the philosophy context. Limit yourself to one or two good ideas supported by argument, if you can. The Q is intended to reverse our human perspective about our view of life forms below us on the evolutionary tree assuming life forms may exist above us.

Someone is very perceptive. My Q about aliens is a *thought experiment and yes your intuitions are correct: it is the feelings side that really matters. Wund'ts mathematical Stimulus Response equation just don't cut it. The Q came to me as I thought of an answer to the Q: "Do animals have emotions?" I answered that Q and got BA.

I presumed that establishing communication was a problem but my Q goes beyond that problem to the focus problem convicing the aliens by arguments with reasons and evidence that you have feelings and intelligence; so you know, I think both are necessary characteristics of moral beings. But a Q about that separate issue is or will be posed separately after I close out this Q by picking BA.

I think Carl Sagan and NASA scientists asked themselves the Q I have asked and they designed a message that was intended to communicate the fact we humans are intelligent & sentient beings with feelings

Answer 1

I would show them how tolerant we, as a species, are of athiests and Democrats. If that doesn't convince them ...

};-)

Now on a more serious note, I have to presuppose that there is a language barrier, because otherwise this wouldn't be all that difficult. So my first attempt would be to show them the Louvre. This would indicate that we as a species have an aetsthetic sense, whether they agree with it or not, and thus that we think beyond the visceral needs of existence. It would also indicate that we are an emotional species, as only an emotional species would invest so much effort and expense in preserving old pictures and sculpture. Thirdly, it would demonstrate from a visual perspective that we have considered concepts outside of ourselves, such as the cosmos, the source of our existence, whatever may lie beyond the physical life, etc.

Answer 2

If the aliens are blind, the louvre will be pointless.
if they have no ears, then they will not hear Classical music.
the answer of course depends on their senses.
If they could pick up alpha and beta brain waves or somehow analyze our brains by magnetic resonance, they may simply comprehend our thoughts and feelings instantly, and may need not do anything.
We must find out how they communicate, and then try to use that form of communication to convey ourselves.
Chances are they communicate using some perterbations in the electromagnetic spectrum. if they speak by microwave, then we will first try with the basic harmonics, and then try artistic variations, mathematical/musical variations, that we cannot hear, but to them will be music. we will learn their language and tell them that instead of being alone in the universe, we are together.

Answer 3

This is a good thinking question. I believe you are more emphasizing the feelings in conjunction with the intelligence(easier to show through math and scientific demonstrations). Certainly we could show that we cared for others through our caring for and protecting of them, but this is also what most animals do! We are more altruistic than other animals in that many of us do things for unrelated people and causes and even people we never meet. An alien's observation of these altruistic acts would demonstrate our true humanity. How many of us could point to such unselfish altruism? For example, I was a teacher for most of my life. I put in many extra hours and worked much harder than I had to for relatively low pay. While this could be construed as altruism, perhaps I did it more out of self-pride which comes from doing one's best.

Answer 4

There are no "extraterrestrial beings" . . . Even the closest megastar gadget - whether it has a liveable planet - is merely too a good distance away for any actual existence-type to make the journey. What we get in numerous types are a similar para-dimensional play actors - demons, or fallen angels sure to this earth, who've the skill to impersonate in spite of we would desire to work out ... from extraterrestrial beings, to ghosts, or costly old deceased aunt Martha at a seance. individuals are gullible whilst they reject the reality and could welcome "extraterrestrial beings" with open arms as incredibly as they reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

Math seems to be the agreed upon universal language. Trying to show art or play classical music might mean nothing if we don't perceive the universe with the same senses.

Answer 6

Math is the universal language. Of course, in my case, I'd have to bring someone a whole lot better at math to do the communicating.

Answer 7

I'd play them Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", Bach's "Adagio and Fugue", or Pachelbel's "Canon in G". The first is feeling exemplified and the other two have strong mathematical foundations.

Answer 8

I would show them the movie with Jody Foster and talk to them in the language of mathematics.

Answer 9

To prove that I am an intelligent being I would explain that I am a Democrat and an Atheist... if that doesn't convince them, I don't know what will.

Answer 10

I wouldnt want to convinve them of anything, I'd just be myself, and show them humans true nature.
[I'd hope they do the same.]