Philosopher Nick Bostrom has argued that humanity should hop...

Prompt

Philosopher Nick Bostrom has argued that humanity should hope the search for life on Mars comes up empty, because discovering even simple extraterrestrial life would prove that our species is probably doomed. In an essay of 600–800 words, evaluate this argument. Reconstruct its logic as carefully as you can, judge how much of it survives scrutiny, and say which specific discovery on Mars would worry you most, which would worry you least, and why. Commit to a position, and state what evidence would change your mind. Write in plain prose with no headings or bullet points, and don't use outside tools.