From a philosophical, metaphysical perspective it certainly does. Many prominent theories have been based on the idea of human particularism. So proving existence/possibility of existences of extraterrestrial, sentient, and complex beings would require a reflection on past conceptions on the nature of reality, an eradication and reconstruction of metaphysics so to speak.
A few users said that it would matter only in the future, but, for the reasons argued above, I think it would matter right on the spot. Arriving at a definitive answer will remove so many ambiguities plaguing intellectual discussions. It may even lead to revolutionary overhaul of the generalized conceptions and structures of the human world.
From a philosophical, metaphysical perspective it certainly does. Many prominent theories have been based on the idea of human particularism. So proving existence/possibility of existences of extraterrestrial, sentient, and complex beings would require a reflection on past conceptions on the nature of reality, an eradication and reconstruction of metaphysics so to speak.
A few users said that it would matter only in the future, but, for the reasons argued above, I think it would matter right on the spot. Arriving at a definitive answer will remove so many ambiguities plaguing intellectual discussions. It may even lead to revolutionary overhaul of the generalized conceptions and structures of the human world.