The Role Of Evolution And Intelligence In Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey

In Arthur C. Clarke’s Space Odyssey series, there are two things that are clearly focused on throughout: evolution and intelligence. So, for this analysis, the evolution of intelligence, both human and artificial, seen in Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) and “2010: Odyssey Two” (1982), with a brief look into the rest of the series: “2061: Odyssey Three” (1987) and “3001: Final Odyssey” (1997), will be the main topic of analysis. In 2001, Clarke introduces us to the evolution of the man-apes who evolve into humans, through the oversight of the natural intelligence of the crystal monolith, which dominates the background of the story, both literally and figuratively. The human intelligence creates the artificial intelligence of the HAL
We see the man apes and they are described as rather ordinary at best and quoted as “on the road to racial extinction” (pg. 3). These creatures, who, at first, seem to be normal, until one particular man-ape known as ‘Moonwatcher’ captures the attention of an extraterrestrial crystal monolith. The monolith seems to be a pillar of crystal, but it begins to develop the mind of Moonwatcher, which shows that the monolith is, in fact, an intelligent entity. Moonwatcher, under the very patient watch of the monolith, slowly begins to evolve into a smarter creature, beginning to use tools and develop weapons to get food to strengthen his species. He begins to develop new feelings, jealousy, envy, longing for more. “Moonwatcher felt the first twinges of a new and potent emotion…discontent has come into his soul, and he had taken one small step towards humanity.” (pg. 19) This is where we see the first sign of Clarke’s writing delving into the realm of intelligence and how it relates to human evolution, the concept of otherworldly beings, and intelligent life outside of
They have gone from killing wild animals with dull rocks to building spacecraft, inhabiting the moon, and replicating the human brain in the form of artificial intelligence. In the following books: 2010, 2061, and 3001, Clarke doesn't go much further into the realm of human evolution and intelligence, as the monolith becomes more powerful and finds other species to develop and essentially leaves humans to their own devices. Despite this, Clarke was under the impression that by the year 2001 humans would have colonized and inhabited the moon, and going further as to think that real world humans would have sent people to Jupiter by