[MD] Quantum computing

[Ham Priday]

Hi Jos --


> "The only beings on planet earth"
> Why insert that disclaimer?
>
> What do the "man is the measure" brigade make of
> any potential alien life that might exist then?

I qualified my "intellectual beings" as earthly for the very reason that
someone like you would want to pose this challenge.  Of course one can't
dismiss the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere, but the "anthropic
principle" need not be restricted to Homo-sapiens.  That is, if some
extra-terrestrial named 02 turned up with demonstrated value-sensibility and
cognizant awareness, I would have no hesitation about including him/her in
this category.

> Ok so it is perfectly valid to assert an anthropic principle
> and deny that there is any, but if there is (and you seem to
> want to allow this), can it by your definition be conscious
> and/or capable of intellectual thought? Is an alien an animal
> or a human?

Not having seen or known an alien, how would I know?  I suppose an IQ test
and some background on the creature's cultural history would be possible
means of measuring the degree of comprehension, creativity, and moral
judgment -- provided, of course, that communication is possible.  I
certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility of human aliens, but I'm
confident that the biologists and bio-physicists could determine the proper
genus and species.

Judging by your questions, I assume you don't regard the human species as
unique or special among life forms.  I find that rather disheartening.

Regards,
Ham