Extraterrestrial Life

Extraterrestrial Life
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Introduction
The controversial issue regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life has generated a heated over the past few years. As such the topic of extraterrestrial intelligence has increasingly become popular both in popular speculation and scientific investigation (Fisher & Fergusson, 2006). Particularly, the issue has been featured in the current science fiction movies. Extraterrestrial life refers to the kind of life that is thought to exist outside of the Earth. In simple terms, this is life that that originates from outer space rather than from Earth. In this regard, the opponents of the existence of extraterrestrial life contend that life cannot exist in non-Earth like conditions. While some scientists believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life, there is no sufficient empirical evidence to support this claim. However, the possibility of extraterrestrial life cannot be ruled out given the fact that there are a number of planets in the solar system, some of which could be supporting some form of life. Additionally, Wickramasinghe, Tokoro and Wainwright (2014) assert that in the 1970s, astronomers started discovering organic molecules in the so-called interstellar clouds and also in the materials flowing from star systems and comets.
Recently, the scientists involved in the so called Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) have received funding that will enhance their ability to search for life outside of Earth (Wickramasinghe & Smith, 2014). This is a great step in the efforts towards answering humanity’s question regarding the existence of space aliens that has captivated people’s minds for decades. NASA has put efforts to search for any signs of the existence of extraterrestrial life on moon. In this regard, the use of robots will be very critical towards achieving this mission. In addition, unlike the traditional astronomers, the latest astronomical discoveries have revealed the existence of "extrasolar" planets or "exoplanets", some of which could be having the conditions that support life (Hegde, Paulino-Lima, Kaltenegger & Rothschild, 2014). Similarly, scientists have also discovered various moons in the solar system that seems to be having oceans beneath their surfaces, and maybe other elements that support life. This research paper seeks to draw on literature to advance the argument that there is a possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Methodology
This research paper adopted a descriptive qualitative analysis of 10 peer-reviewed journals sourced from various databases. In order to ascertain the credibility of the sources to be used in this project, various criteria were used. These include the date of publication of the articles, authenticity of the author(s) in terms of qualification, occupation and experience in their field of study. Further, the relevance of the journal articles to the research topic was also taken into consideration. In addition, the level of bias regarding the author’s opinion on the existence of extraterrestrial life forms was also assessed.
The Possibility of Extraterrestrial Life
It is widely believed that there is the existence of extraterrestrial life. It is worth noting that the concept of the existence of extraterrestrial life dates back to historic times. Two Greek philosophers, Epicurus and Democritus (480-270 B.C.E.) had speculated concerning the existence of extraterrestrial life forms (Bonting, 2003). This means that this concept is as old as philosophy. In this regard, Bonting (2003) argues that although tradition as well as religion is silent on the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life forms, the scientific insight proposed the likelihood, even the possibility of the development of life such life forms on exoplanets. It is further argued that such extraterrestrial life would be similar to (neuronal processes, genetic system, and biochemistry) and would also develop a moral and religious life (Bonting, 2003). The phenomena that enhance the fascination of humans with the existence of extraterrestrial life forms is the increasing popularity of the science fiction movies, books, as well as television programs. Moreover, Swami, Furnham Haubner, Stieger and Vorack (2009) further point out that there has been various claims by humans that they have sighted unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Such UFOs are believed to be the evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial life.
The latest advancement in astronomy coupled with the continuous searching for extraterrestrial life has resulted in the discovery of extrasolar planets that could be supporting alien life. In light of this, scientist can only prove the existence of this life by finding signs of its existence in such planets or on the moon. Moreover, the current space probes aimed at searching for out-of-equilibrium gas distributions within extrasolar planetary atmospheres promises a potential breakthrough in this quest. However, the Fisher and Ferguson (2006) claims that such signs may result in ambiguity, such that they could either represent the existence of extraterrestrial life or terrestrial contamination. In addition, the critics of the existence of extraterrestrial life contend that even though the signs of alien life are found, there will be no technique to definitively establish the existence of such life. The implication of this is that the discovery of signs of alien life will be met with a lot of skepticism.
In support of the existence of extraterrestrial life, Wickramasinghe (2015) argues that the latest discoveries may result in a major hypothesis shift from the traditional Earth-centered life the concept that life is a truly cosmic phenomenon. The implication of this argument is that once enough evidence is gathered regarding the existence of alien life, the theory that the Earth is the only planet that support life will change. For instance, the concept that viruses and bacteria same as those existing on Earth exist on other planets and comets, and even in the entire galaxy was established as a scientific discipline since the 1980s (Wickramasinghe, Tokoro & Wainwright, 2014). This concept has been subject to ridicule, criticism, and even denial in the past few decades. On the positive note, many discoveries in biology, geology and astronomy have been providing supportive evidence regarding the concept of cosmic life (Wickramasinghe, 2015). However, these efforts have been hampered by the concept of Earth-centered biology that has been inherent in the scientific culture for several decades. Several recent developments have started to challenge this status quo, pointing out to the possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Additionally, astronomers have made various latest developments that could challenge the perception that the galaxy is one connected biosphere. For instance, astronomers and geologists have established the existence of complex organic molecules within the interstellar clouds. Moreover, Wickramasinghe (2015) argues that there are more than 100 billion habitable planets within the galaxy, which are separated from each other by just a few light years. This means that the evolution of life pattern on Earth could potentially repeat itself on a numbe...