The intelligence in ETI—What can we know?

This paper follows a train of thought initiated in a recent paper [7]. The work sets out a theoretical perspective on the possibility of cognitive universals underpinning the behaviour of animals with brains. Consideration of what we can know of intelligence in beings elsewhere in the universe obliges us to recognise universal and local factors relevant to SETI. Linguistic communication turns out to be genuinely constrained by circumstances even though the existence of linguistic activity will be universal in intelligent beings. The implications for activity in SETI are reviewed. An alternative approach to SETI—described in a recent paper ([9], but see also [8]) is contrasted with the messaging approach, and the conclusion is drawn that an ETI would opt for the alternative.

► Any ETI must conform to the Sequential Imperative. ► The Sequential Imperative leads to understanding of ETI's intelligence. ► The Sequential Imperative reveals possible communication difficulties with ETI. ► SETI should focus on observation not messaging.