+107
If life in the universe depends on conditions similar to our planet, life on a different planet might look like ours. In which case we may be able to see into our evolutionary past or future if we ever find life on a different planet - depending on how long life has existed on the other planet, amirite?
An interesting hypothesis, unfortunately, that's unlikely because evolution would also depend on multiple different factors, not to mention that mutations ( and therefore evolution) are random
I would argue that while mutations can be random, if it doesn't help the species to survive then it will die out. Survival of the fittest remember.
It's like AI trying to work out the most efficient path. You give it a set of parameters and it will do millions, billions and trillions of calculations where it will take every route possible until it finds the path that's the most efficient. Evolution is like that. Mutations may take many different paths, but all will die out unless it's the most efficient/helpful path for the species.
If the conditions on a different planet are the same as what's on earth, that sets the 'parameters' the same or close to us and if that's true life on a different planet could take the same evolutionary route as us.
Fair point, but then there's also the argument that it doesn't have to be a perfect clone of earth to be suitable for life, maybe there is not enough calcium to make bones, iron to make blood, maybe there is another chemical which could potentially be harnessed by an organism but said chemical isn't common enough on earth.