A Logic-Based Approach to Characterizing Altruism in Interstellar Messages

Abstract

This chapter discusses the encoding (characterization) of the human notions of morality and altruism using a system for interstellar communication—in fact, some Lingua Cosmica. In order to show how that might be achieved, two existing, extensively documented linguistic systems of this kind, LINCOS and NEW LINCOS, are considered. The foundations of these systems, briefly reviewed, clearly show that they are completely different from one another—in conceptual setup and in use. In the LINCOS system, encoded conversations between humans are the means for representing information, worked out for the field of elementary mathematics, but also applicable for describing aspects of human behavior, such as altruism. This point of view implies that for understanding message content, a substantial amount of reflection on the basics of the linguistic system is mandatory at the receiving end of a communication line. The system is self-contained, but also flat because no recourse to external sources of information is required. In the astrolinguistic system NEW LINCOS, the encoding of information is by using constructive logic. Therefore, receivers of an encoded message on behavior in that system need first of all to recognize that logic is involved: this is a necessary condition for the interpretation of message content. In view of the simplicity of the logic employed, it can be assumed that receivers can achieve relatively quickly, without much guessing, at least some understanding of the basic conventions, and subsequently an appreciation of message structure and content. The system is self-contained, multi-level and not flat. In the second part of this chapter, characterizing altruism in some detail from a logic point of view is considered, using NEW LINCOS as a means for the encoding. In both systems many examples of encoded human behavior can be included in messages and redundancy need (should) not be avoided. Both LINCOS and NEW LINCOS are not unsuitable for expressing human morality and altruism—even if the necessary encoding might not be perspicuous in all respects.