Indwelling intelligence from an extraterrestrial perspective

Implication of Indwelling Intelligence in Global Confidence-building (Part #13)

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Contact with "extraterrestrials": The existence and nature of extraterrestrial life has become a theme taken every more seriously by various sciences. The challenge of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) in order to establish "contact" remains a preoccupation. Relatively little is said about the content of any communication once "contact" is established, as separately discussed (Communicating with Aliens: the psychological dimension of dialogue, 2000). The challenge is remarkably, and ironically, highlighted by that of communicating with those variously considered "alien" in society -- terrorists in general (and the Taliban in particular), immigrants, those of other religious or ideological persuasion, youth, the elderly, and the "feral".

The challenge is extended, for some, to that of communication with animals (dolphins, chimpanzees, pets, etc), or even with an ecosystem (as would be comprehensible to some indigenous cultures). Some of those identified as alien or sub-human might well be understood as "terrestrial extras" (according to drama parlance), thereby justifying their systemic neglect as "non-human", following a dubious historical pattern by which "extraterrestrials" might well be inspired (cf. Writing Guidelines for Future Occupation of Earth by Extraterrestrials: Be done by as you did ? 2010).

God as "extraterrestrial"? Given the religious dimensions of this argument regarding indwelling, there is a case for exploring the manner in which God could be considered "extraterrestrial". Attributes of omnipresence throughout the universe would necessarily imply this -- in contrast with a particular relationship to the Earth and its inhabitants. "God" then offers an indicative code for "omni" -- potentially independent of religious preoccupations. However arguments of various religions that God is necessarily transmundane (rather than mundane) -- as may be claimed for the structures representing those religions -- then reframe the possibilities of being "extra" for an extraterrestrial.

Extraterrestrial intelligence: However "extraterrestrials" are to be understood, especially intriguing is how the nature and degree of their intelligence is to be recognized, given the obvious difficulty in recognizing that of "terrestrial extras". The "intelligence" of extremists of any kind is typically called into question as a consequence of their "unreasonable" behaviour, as separately explored (Norms in the Global Struggle against Extremism: "rooting for" normalization vs. "rooting out" extremism? 2003).

The issue is of further significance to the extent that some of the understandings of "indwelling" (as noted above) specifically evoke "spiritual" implications, whether or not they are labelled as uniquely (if not exclusively) relating to humanity rather than to the whole of creation. There is therefore a case for considering more generally how "intelligence" may be related to forms which would be considered "abnormal" from a human perspective -- just as the nature of human intelligence, and the "vehicle" for it, may come to be understood differently in the future.

Terrestrial stupidity? The question could be reversed, in the light of a hypothetical extraterrestrial perspective, to clarify the nature of "terrestrial intelligence" within a larger context. The case for recognizing the obvious manifestations of human stupidity -- whether individually or collectively -- has been frequently made. Some have speculated on the judgment of future generations regarding the intelligence exhibited in the current global civilization in the light of the emergence of a wide spectrum of crises and the much challenged ability to respond to them -- readily labelled as a mark of stupidity. The rapid degradation of the environment, and the systemic (addictive) dependence on what might be recognized as a form of "substance abuse" to sustain the economy, could well be considered as an indication of lack of requisite intelligence.

Holistic intelligence? Speculation on the possible criteria of intelligence used by "extraterrestrials" offers the further possibility that this might include a knowledge-focused sense of "healthy" integration (even integrity). This might recognize fragmented understanding as  a form of pathological disassociation in a systemic context. The classic sense of mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body) would then point to constraints on recognition of any "indwelling intelligence", especially where extraterrestrials might recognize the need for a more holistic interweaving of "health" and "wealth" -- "whealth" or "wholth"?

This suggests the corollary to which extraterrestrials might be exceptionally attentive, namely that an unhealthy mind is necessarily the consequence of an unhealthy body -- or, by extension, an unhealthy collective intelligence necessarily emerging from an unhealthy body corporate. In the light of Christian concern with bestial indwelling (mentioned above), this suggests the possibility of manifestations of collective insanity and consequent bestiality -- only too evident in recent human history.

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