> We have a sample size of one, when it comes to self-aware sentient species, so I'm not sure we can draw any reasonable conclusions about likelihood of empathy between two such species

I'm not; I'm only pointing out that the conclusions I see ITT expressing the notion that a more intelligent species would necessarily be more compassionate is more unlikely than the converse, because from our one and only sample of life, we don't see it often.

IOW, I am replying "We don't know that" to the assertion "They will be compassionate.".

Well the point was about a species able to build an interstellar ship. There's no point to compare to a snake who can't even build a piano.

We have a sample size of zero.

But again, you cannot build a ship with an individual. Physics gets in your way.