Chris.B wrote:

Sod the chemistry! Every assumption we make is only that. We know
almost nothing about our own planet. Particularly below the surface of
the seas which cover much of our own world. We cannot imagine any
dominantly intelligent species not having our avarice, aggression and
chronic immorality. It is completely beyond our way of thinking except
in sci-fantasy terms. Our intelligence is based on learning to take
something from somebody else, by force, rather than obtaining it for
ourselves.

The fact that ants and termites conduct organized warfare and organized pillage suggests that war is not something that is unique to humans.

Ants and termites live in societies, just like we do.  And guess what, they make war on their own kind, just like we do.  They enslave their captives, just like we used to do.

They don't sit around and take a vote whether to go to war.  This is instinctive behavior, built into their genes.

And if ants had ever evolved into an intelligent tool-using civilization, they would be at least as savage and cold-blooded warriors as we are.  They would, in fact, resemble the "Borg" of Star Trek. Humanoid ants.