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Debate Info

7
1
Correct. Wrong.
Debate Score:8
Arguments:5
Total Votes:12
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 Correct. (4)
 
 Wrong. (1)

Debate Creator

geoff(738) pic



There is intelligent extra-terrestrial life.

Consider the odds.

Correct.

Side Score: 7
VS.

Wrong.

Side Score: 1
4 points

I know I've used this argument a few times now, but, once again, here we go!

I'm going to use some current best guests and estimates, but don't let this subtract from the point I'm making.

Firstly we need to work out the number of stars in the universe. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, contains approximately two to three hundred billion stars. There are about one hundred billion galaxies, so (assuming all galaxies average at the same amount of stars as our galaxy) we have approximately 2x10(22).

Now we need to weed out a large number of these due to inhospitable zones; these are areas such as those close to black holes where the microwaves steralise the stars planetary systems, etc, etc. Current estimates base this as around 9/10 of stars in inhospitable areas, leaving us with 2x10(21).

From astronomical observations, it is noted that around 50% of all stars have planetary systems; so, we're now down to 10(21).

Fourth, many exoplanets likely do not possess the conditions we consider necessary to support life (water, appropriate temperature ranges, appropriate elements and minerals, energy sources such as sunlight or planetary heat, etc.). A reasonable guess might be that of those possessing planetary systems, only one star in ten will hold a planet that is habitable. This gives us 10(20) habitable planets.

Fifth, we do not know if life will always arise on habitable planets. If, as is turning out to be likely, the molecules from which life originates can form in space-ice, then probably all of the universe’s planets will have been inoculated by now. How much of this material then goes on to create life can only be a guess. Presumably, if the right conditions exist, eventually all will; but, to err on the conservative side, let us say that only one in a hundred habitable planets becomes a host to life. Thus about 10(18) (1,000,000,000,000,000,000 or one quintillion) life-bearing planets possibly exist in the visible universe.

I really like those odds.

If it hasn't already happened, give it enough time, and the odds state that there will most probably be intelligent life somewhere in the universe (apart from here).

Side: Correct.
0 points

It certainly seems likely to my mind and discovering mechanisms and structures out there that fall in line with what we know about our own vicinity counts as evidence in my book. However, we still don't know with anything approaching certainty that there is life out there.

Given the choice life/no life, I'd opt for the former if I was a gambler.

Side: Correct.
0 points

Given that water has been found on Mars, and we know that the universe is seriously big, how is it not the height of arrogance to think that we're the only intelligent beings? Surely, the odds that we're the only ones are more remote than something, somewhere out there is thinking about stuff.

Side: Correct.

You know, sometimes I watch the news and I wonder if there are any intelligent life forms here on Earth.

Side: Correct.

If there were extra-terrestrial life, the aliens would have introduced themselves to us by now.

Side: Wrong.