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Impossible-Reach3744 Mar 28, 2026 +7

Hollywood influence Suppose that just shifts the goalposts though: why would novelists or film writers feel aliens would be morally superior? Probably comes down to post WW2 and the cold war where we came close to a worldwide nuclear exchange, feeling that any aliens who did make it here would have found a way to rise above / rein in their self-destructive tendencies, etc.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +3

I suppose it's kinda aspirational then? Like, if we are to ascend to their level we must aspire to emulate their behavior and principles.

3

aohige_rd Mar 28, 2026 +1

There is an inherent problem with the portrayal of alien invaders in fiction. It's entirely pointless. If a civilization is able to achieve interstellar travel at reasonable speed (which is a FAR higher bar than these stories would have you believe. A Dyson Swarm is more feasible than a Star Wars spaceship lol), then conquest for resources makes zero sense. There is nothing on Earth unique enough to warrant it, there's a billion times more resources in much closer and easily manageable bodies in space. It would be like invading a country on the other side of the ocean for the sole purpose of stealing a single Snickers bar from a convenience store. So a visit from another system is far more likely to be of scientific curiosity than animosity.

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-runs-with-scissors- Mar 28, 2026 +7

That is not the general assumption at all.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +2

You're more in the camp of, "they will destroy us"?

2

frontcorners Mar 28, 2026 +11

That they could advance as far as being able to traverse the immense distances of the cosmos to reach us here on earth probably means they figured out how to cooperate as a species/civilization/society and peacefully co-exist with one another more than we as earthlings currently do

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +3

That's a big assumption. I don't think it's that crazy to imagine a civilization accomplishing all of those things through slave labor, war and subjugation. Smart people can be very evil.

3

crambeaux Mar 28, 2026 +1

Well that’s what « we » did, so it wouldn’t be hard to be morally superior.

1

BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

It would be just as easy to be morally equivalent, or worse.

1

slinkhi Mar 28, 2026 +1

Well, yes. Everything we think of would be an assumption. Even your own question uses the word. We won't actually know one way or the other until we actually start interacting with them. What even is the point of your question if you're just going to write things off as assumptions, even though that's what you asked for?

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

Okay, let me rephrase: that is a baseless assumption that is proved wrong by human history itself. There are far more reasons to believe that intelligent and technologically advanced people are capable of incredible evil than to believe that education or technological advancement, on their own, breed a more altruistic morality. Just because I asked people to give me the reasons they think something is the case doesn't mean that I'm not allowed to disagree or discuss. I didn't ask for things to say yes to. Maybe have a cup of chamomile tea.

1

slinkhi Mar 28, 2026 +1

You are certainly allowed to disagree or discuss. The issue is you just wrote it off as an assumption, which is silly, because literally every answer here is ultimately going to be an assumption.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

Is that the only part you read or did you read the part where I addressed this comment?

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slinkhi Mar 28, 2026 +1

I did read your full comment, yes. What a condescending thing to say. I am only responding to the part relevant to my original comment.

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Killboypowerhed Mar 28, 2026 +2

That's a stretch considering who is in charge of the company making strides in space travel on this planet

2

Dr__Snow Mar 28, 2026 +1

Yeah. It could be that the worst of them wiped out the rest.

1

DavosLostFingers Mar 28, 2026 +3

Never really considered it. I think the focus would be on how they are far more technologically advanced than us

3

BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

That makes sense, but it also sounds like a big assumption to me. Like, why would technological advancement affect morality in this way?

1

Taskerst Mar 28, 2026 +3

They survived long enough to advance far beyond us without destroying themselves, and that has to count for something.

3

BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

Maybe they're really good at subjugation.

1

Draculamb Mar 28, 2026 +3

I think most people understand their ideas about aliens based upon the lens of science fiction stories. Aliens stories in SF are really never about aliens. They are always about us - our society, our plans, our foibles. Aliens make handy tools to critique human failings and highlight social issues. Also any civilisation with the power to traverse interstellar space has the power to destroy themselves, yet they haven't. We haven't really proven ourselves to be that restrained nor wise, so there is a kernel of truth in the idea of humans being underdeveloped ethically.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

That makes sense.

1

RecognitionBig9341 Mar 28, 2026 +2

Movies and sh

2

Radiant-Knee-6534 Mar 28, 2026 +2

can't get much worse than this

2

BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

Ha! Ye of little faith.

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No_Journalist_9618 Mar 28, 2026 +2

Insanity

2

sebseo Mar 28, 2026 +2

It's mostly because our civilization is fairly new compared to the age of the universe. If there are aliens out there able to travel vast distances across galaxies, people just assume they’d be superior to us in every way, especially since we haven't even figured out how to travel back and forth to Mars yet.

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Stock_Editor_731 Mar 28, 2026 +2

All the first hand experience that people have had.

2

BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

...what you mean?

1

ARealHunchback Mar 28, 2026 +3

We think it would take the effort of an entire civilization to achieve that kind of travel and assume the only way it gets done if the population all work together. I wouldn’t be surprised if we meet aliens and they’re space Nazis lead by alien Hitler that won his WWII and their whole planet had to support his dream of traveling to and conquering other worlds.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

I don't think we have enough guns for space Hitler. But we have enough heart to try.

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SirWEM Mar 28, 2026 +1

Somewhere in the US a MAGA cultist just said “‘Merica, hold ma beer”

1

Kaalveythur Mar 28, 2026 +2

They assume that because the aliens reached the point where interstellar travel is possible, their morals must be equally evolved. What they forgett is that the aliens evolved on another planet with completely different cultures, history etc etc. What's moral for us might be completely repugnant to them and vice versa.

2

rax_Tempus Mar 28, 2026 +1

Wishful thinking.

1

watchwatertilitboils Mar 28, 2026 +1

Because, if they weren't morally superior, they would spend their resources fighting each other instead of exploring space and finding us. The Borg might think otherwise, but I think that is the logic.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +2

I suppose that brings up the question of what moral superiority even is? Is it about being more altruistic? Is it about having outcomes where bad things like war with your own species doesn't happen? What if that's only because they turned their conflict outwards? What if their society has no war because the ones in power have figured out a way to remove the wills of those they rule, essentially creating a hive-mind slave state? I feel like it's possible for technology to advance without morality following suit.

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watchwatertilitboils Mar 28, 2026 +1

Hive-mind slave state is a perfect description of the Borg

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

True that.

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Purple_Media_8942 Mar 28, 2026 +1

the straightforward answer is probably that since they have such superior technology then they must have much superior intelligence too which therefore allow them to have a more advanced morality kind of how we think we have a superior morality to animals - they are not advanced enough to understand that they cause others suffering when they bite or whatever and they can't tell that this might be something to care about

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

>they have such superior technology then they must have much superior intelligence too which therefore allow them to have a more advanced morality I feel like our own history should warn us against a belief like this. Smarter with better tech doesn't translate to better morality. It does make it easier to justify your point of view, though.

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Purple_Media_8942 Mar 28, 2026 +2

maybe yeah - but I think its pretty obvious thats it is why people might assume aliens have superior morality .. agree? superior technology/society -> therefore superior intelligence -> therefore superior morallity but I see your argument man - but in popculture its just a more simple intuitive idea the "superior morality" so makes total sense thats the default to me

2

BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

I get that. Personally I think this is one of the things that makes franchises like Warhammer 40k so popular. The xenos are all over space, and they've mostly been at it longer than us, but they're all basically evil as shit. I think it's potentially a more interesting angle than the inevitable finger wagging that comes with the whole "alien moral superiority" idea.

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Purple_Media_8942 Mar 28, 2026 +1

dont know anything about warhammer 40K (except there is a guy called God Emperor King right??) but daamn yeah the "aliens are better cause they have bigger brains" is pretty boring and dumb in a way Sharks might be evolutionary more advanced than us (been here longer - might stay longer too in the future if something goes crazy) even though they have a nastier morality to them .. could be the same with 300 IQ aliens that they succeed because they are have a ruthless morality .. legit way more fascinating and complex then the other one

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

I think it's just God Emperor. I have an approximate knowledge about many things in Warhammer. >could be the same with 300 IQ aliens that they succeed because they are have a ruthless morality .. legit way more fascinating and complex then the other one Exactly! There's so much that can be done with such an idea, especially if there isn't consensus in their own ranks, but whether the more morally good people are actually altruistic or not is debatable or something. Like, they're only morally dark or grey.

1

ericalm_ Mar 28, 2026 +1

A society can only become capable of faster-than-light travel, identifying planets with intelligent life, and visiting them if it survives long enough to do so. One theorized reason for the Fermi paradox is that this may be very rare. Technological advancement and accompanying competition for resources will most often lead to self destruction.

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lodestar72 Mar 28, 2026 +1

We lack the knowledge and the technology to visit other star systems. They do not.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

...so?

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lodestar72 Mar 28, 2026 +1

If they possess the technology to visit external solar systems and we do not, that makes them superior, buddy. An army possessing modern technology is superior to one from antiquity. Would you not agree?

1

BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

Technologically, yes. But that army could be the Taliban vs the 300 Spartans trying to defend their home. I don't think technological or intellectual superiority naturally results in moral superiority.

1

lodestar72 Mar 28, 2026 +1

Yeah, I just noticed the word 'morally' in your original question. My bad.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

Ah, no worries.

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r00tb33r666 Mar 28, 2026 +1

A visit in itself is a moral dilemma. Too many implications.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

What do you mean?

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Additional-Till-6326 Mar 28, 2026 +1

We aren't as smart as we think.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +2

What does this have to do with intelligence?

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Additional-Till-6326 Mar 28, 2026 +2

That's my point. We always assume things.

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PraetorGold Mar 28, 2026 +1

Human insecurity and hierarchical governance.

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External-Class3179 Mar 28, 2026 +1

Higher technology => Higher wisdom ?

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

I don't think that's true at all.

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External-Class3179 Mar 28, 2026 +1

I don't think it is true either, but I think some people assume this

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Medytuje Mar 28, 2026 +1

I think Predator race scenario could be possible. Race built on philosophy of growth through struggle, war and genetic superiority. Seems smart thing to do especially if you're a species that feel it like it's something natural

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MoobyTheGoldenSock Mar 28, 2026 +1

It’s because you’re cherry picking your scifi. There are plenty of stories with evil aliens.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

I suppose you're right. I did make this after seeing something based on that concept.

1

fahqurmudda Mar 28, 2026 +1

Because we are self aware, and humans have shitty morals

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slinkhi Mar 28, 2026 +1

Well for one thing they managed to stop fighting amongst themselves to collectively fund creating enough technology to make it to us and actually come here. Beyond that, I can't think of any other reason to assume they would be.

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Medytuje Mar 28, 2026 +1

That's assuming that simply one dominant race/nation didn't wiped out the other planet inhabitants and continue expansionist ways into space. For a space faring civilization wiping out other life forms can be the same thing as to us killing other life forms for food. Something morally acceptable

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slinkhi Mar 28, 2026 +1

Yes, it is an assumption. Just like the question asked for. We can't actually *know* one way or the other until we start interacting with them. Until then, best we can do is project assumptions and speculations based on our own experiences. If you are going to get stuck on just saying "that's assuming" to a question that asks for assumptions, this conversation is pointless.

1

squigs Mar 28, 2026 +1

I think there's a certain level of self-flagellation here. A lot of people consider it morally righteous to feel terrible about our own moral failings. Thus they assume Humans are evil and other races would be less so. In practice, other races will have their own morality, probably based on optimal survival for that species. It will probably be cooperation based but there are different ways of doing that.

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5thCap Mar 28, 2026 +1

Ive never thought of them being morally superior. In fact, with most of the media influence and "I was abducted by alien" stories, I dont think they are morally superior due to the fact the stories are mostly based around killing us for our resources or studying our bodies against our will.

1

swissiws Mar 28, 2026 +1

Years of Hollywood stereotypes as much as now popular mainstream anti-western civilization. This is the narrative today.

1

p38-lightning Mar 28, 2026 +1

And which side gets to define moral? The white Christians who settled America saw themselves as morally superior to the black slaves they brought with them and to the natives they pushed out of their way.

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BullfrogNo8216 Mar 28, 2026 +1

Nah, make your own post.

1

Ruathar Mar 28, 2026

I mean.... the bar is set rather low...

0

What do you think is the reason people assume visiting aliens would be morally superior to us?

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