The discovery of non-intelligent life dead or alive on Mars indicate a lower value for fi. True False
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: False.
Explanation:
The term fi refers to the fraction of planets with life where intelligent life eventually evolves. It is a parameter in the Drake Equation, which estimates the number of active, communicative extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy. Discovering non-intelligent life, whether dead or alive, on Mars would provide evidence that life can arise on other planets besides Earth. This discovery would not directly lower the value of fi. Instead, it would suggest that the emergence of life might be more common than previously thought.
Finding any form of life outside Earth, even microbial or simple life, supports the idea that life can begin under a variety of conditions. This potentially increases the likelihood that life elsewhere could evolve over time. While discovering non-intelligent life does not guarantee that intelligent life will evolve, it does indicate that the first step—life originating—can happen on other planets.
Since fi specifically addresses the development of intelligent life from any existing life, finding simple life on Mars has no direct negative impact on fi’s value. It might even encourage scientists to consider that the evolutionary steps leading to intelligence could be common in the universe.
In summary, the discovery of non-intelligent life on Mars would not reduce the estimated fraction of planets where intelligent life evolves. It would instead support the idea that life is widespread and increase interest in the factors that influence the evolution of intelligence. Therefore, the statement that such a discovery would indicate a lower value for fi is false.