Would science have evolved on our planet without language? In what ways is science dependent on, or independent of, language? Do you think every intelligent species in the universe eventually evolves the same science as ours? What would the science of a superadvanced ET be like?
I think language is very necessary. Also, the method of science would probably be the same to an alien, how could it be otherwise?
I think science depends alot on language. For instance, the subject/predicate structure of statements. It's hard to even imagine a descriptive or categorizing cognitive state without that basic structure at it's core. Ofcourse OUR particular kind of language is probably not universally shared by other intelligent species. That relativity of language to the specific conditions and physiognomy under which it evolved suggests to me an alien's science, if we could even call it that, wouldn't be anything LIKE our own. There might be metaphorical connections, but if they had senses totally different from our own, say like the chemical sentience of ants, it's hard to imagine WHAT their language or science would even be like.
language is just communication. what difference does it make what form it takes? though chemical communication may seem to be more difficult to reproduce in ever increasing complexity, it doesn't mean that is impossible.
Yes, which - in terms of elsewhere - also rings a bit of the potential for E O Wilson's superorganism classification evolving at a level more impressive than a small insect colony. As you say, chemical signals would just require an increase in complexity to be as much language as any representational system transmitted in an audible / visual medium. But to fully eliminate the individuals of a "hive" still feeling somewhat like distinct selves (that is, turning a society completely into an integrated, single-mind), it might require the speed and going-around-corners capacity of EM waves in the radio ranges as the means of communication. However, if it was possible for the biological process to evolve "broadcasting and reception organs" (LOL) of a non-visible light ilk, one would think a species would have developed that on Earth by now. Or be inviting the potential for more complex transmissions utilizing such organs, if someone remembers an obscure candidate that has evolved the first stage. :bugeye:
