Recent scientific developments are hinting that it's natural for the universe to produce complexities. This is what researcher Kelly Smith argued in a study published in the journal Space Policy.
According to Smith, this tendency by the universe exhibits religious overtones, even having the potential to establish a universal code on which morality is based. An evolutionary biologist and philosopher, Smith uses recent developments in complex systems theory and biology to find new answers to age-old questions about the purpose and moral imperatives of the human race, discussions that have long been considered the territory of humanities.
Smith pointed out that those in the sciences are starting to discuss more how the universe's basic structure seems to have a preference for complexity. Based on the universe's large-scale history, increasing complexity is a trend that is observed in different ways, like disordered states of energy producing molecules and atoms, which then combine to give birth to the planets and suns on which life has evolved.
Smith pointed out that recent developments in biological and complex systems theories suggest that the trend is indeed real, a consequence arising predictably from the universe's basic structure.
"If this is right, you can look at the universe as a kind of ‘complexity machine,' which raises all sorts of questions about what this means in a broader sense," he explained.
Does belief in the complexities of the universe and the rational creatures that inhabit it translate into a religious belief?
Smith clarifies that believing in this notion does not necessarily mean believing that a god created the universe, although it heavily reiterates that the rationality that humans pride themselves in is no accident.
Additionally, the presence of possible moral implications associated with such complexities makes Smith feel that this discovery is similar to the idea of religion.
If evolution has a tendency to develop culture, reason and sociality together, creating some sort of package deal, then it's not so outlandish to entertain the idea that extraterrestrials, as they are in the same universe, will have also evolved to meet similar attitudes and have met basic moral commitments in their world. Specifically, extraterrestrials will agree with humans that there exists something morally special about creatures being social and rational.
Smith argues that universal agreement could lay the foundations for a system of ethics that is truly universal. He will be going on a sabbatical to further explore these issues he has uncovered in his paper, laying down the groundwork for a book.
