Of course, there is the premise of Star Trek that all life was seeded in our part of the universe by superior beings. Which begs the philosophical question of whether our evolution was prescribed, is random, or a combination of both?

Star Trek also referred to earth-like planets as all similar, and implied that they were sought out strictly for this trait? And that the aliens are not supposed to contact us until we achieve a specific level of competence. So as not to interfere with our pattern of growth.

I am an engineer. I can do math. Weird how the older I get, the more I return to philosophy. I don't think I am alone in this.