uniformity, principle of

The assertion that the laws of nature discovered on Earth apply throughout the rest of the Universe. From this it is a reasonable, though not inevitable, conclusion that the same physical, chemical, and biological processes that gave rise to terrestrial life could also produce life elsewhere. The principle of uniformity is a fundamental tenet of science. Together with two other basic beliefs (see mediocrity, principle of; plenitude, principle of) it used by most SETI proponents to argue that life and intelligence are not uncommon throughout space.

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