Thread: What is the definition of intelligent life on another planet?

1. Would something similar to a dog be considered intelligent life?
2. Would something similar to humans from 5000 years ago be considered intelligent life?
3. Does it have to be smarter than us, and if so isn't that pretty anthropocentric and at odds with people who believe there is other intelligent life out there in the first place?

There is no such definition, as far as I know. There was no need for one, having found no life at all elsewhere in the Universe -- so far.

Any Sentient being is intelligent life

this makes a dog an intelligent being.


What they are differentiating from is if the planet's only life forms are bacteria, plants and sponge like things.

Intelligent life is extraterrestrial life capable of communication with humans.

And communication doesn't necessarily mean talking. E.g. Dogs can communicate with us - we don't speak the language, but it can tell us that it's happy/wants food, and it can tell when you're not happy with it.

The presence of technology and machines defines "intelligent extraterrestrial life"

Any organism that is capable of thoughts and concepts no matter how primitive.

I believe this is a reference to "sentience" vs. things like microbes or bacteria that are non-sentient. So based on that the answers to your question would be:

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No

Hope that helps

intelligent life is defined generally as organisms that create and successfully use science and technology

1. By whom? (or what)
2. By Whom?
3. Where does THIS come from?!?! Wow.
Oh wait. I'm now talking to the "official globally recognized definitive UN sanctioned Intelligence Czar". She says my answers to your questions are wrong - and how can I argue with her? She's the person who determines for all time and everywhere in the Universe what can and can't be considered intelligent.
Her answers:
1. Only Poodles
2. Only BY Poodles
3. Thats pretty much all there is out there.
She refused to go into any more details with any of ther answers. Its official.