A new study suggests that intelligent life may be a common outcome on planets, rather than a rare occurrence, potentially increasing the likelihood of human-like civilizations existing elsewhere in the universe. Researchers from Penn State University have challenged the traditional “hard steps” theory, proposing that the emergence of intelligent life, similar to humanity, could be a natural consequence of a planet’s evolution.

What is hard step theory

The “hard steps” theory is a concept in astrobiology that suggests the development of complex life, like humans, is an incredibly rare occurrence in the universe. It argues that several highly improbable events, or “hard steps,” need to occur in the evolutionary process for intelligent life to emerge. These steps might include the formation of a stable planetary environment, the origin of life itself, the development of complex cells, and the evolution of consciousness.
The “hard steps” theory was popularized by physicist Brandon Carter in the 1980s. He noted that humans appeared relatively late in the history of Earth, suggesting that the evolutionary path to intelligence might be a long and unlikely one. This idea led to the belief that intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is probably very scarce.
However, recent studies, like the one you mentioned from Penn State University, are challenging the “hard steps” theory. These studies propose that the emergence of intelligent life might be a more natural and common outcome of planetary evolution than previously thought. They suggest that the interplay between life and its environment could drive the development of complexity and intelligence, making it a less improbable event.
This new perspective has significant implications for the search for extraterrestrial life. If intelligent life is indeed more common, then the chances of finding alien civilizations could be much higher than previously estimated. It opens up exciting new avenues for research and exploration in our quest to understand our place in the universe.

We are arguing that intelligent life may not require a series of lucky breaks to exist. Humans didn’t evolve ‘early’ or ‘late’ in Earth’s history, but ‘on time,’ when the conditions were in place. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time, and maybe other planets can achieve these conditions more rapidly than Earth did, while other planets might take even longer”, said Dan Mills, the paper’s lead author.

The study proposes that significant evolutionary milestones were the result of predictable and logical events, rather than random chance. For example, the emergence of photosynthesis in plant life led to an oxygen-rich atmosphere, paving the way for the expansion of animal life on Earth.

In contrast to Brandon Carter’s theory, which suggests that complex life arose from a unique combination of favourable conditions, the new research implies that the development of life on Earth was a natural consequence of the planet’s evolution. The study introduces the concept of “windows of habitability,” suggesting that planets like Earth may inherently pass through stages that support the emergence of complex life.

Notably, the researchers challenge Carter’s assumptions, which were based on the Sun’s lifespan. By reevaluating this aspect, the new study offers a fresh perspective on the likelihood of intelligent life existing elsewhere in the universe.

A groundbreaking study has suggested that intelligent life may be a common outcome on planets, rather than a rare occurrence, potentially increasing the likelihood of human-like civilisations existing elsewhere in the universe

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