EVIDENCE FOR INTELLIGENT EXTRATERRESTRIALS IS EVIDENCE AGAINST THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. Issue 53 (2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruhmkorff, Samuel
• Is Part Of: Think. Volume 18:Issue 53(2019)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2019
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; 105
• DOI: 10.1017/S147717561900023X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-1756

Abstract

Abstract : The recent explosion in the discovery of exoplanets and our incipient ability to detect atmospheric biomarkers recommend reflection on the conceptual implications of discovering – or not discovering – extrasolar life. I contend that evidence for intelligent extraterrestrial life is evidence against the existence of God, because if there are intelligent extraterrestrials, there are likely to be evils in the universe even greater than those found on Earth. My reasoning is based on Richard Gott's Copernican Principle, which holds that in the absence of information to the contrary, we should take ourselves to be typical observers.