Exploring the Origin, Extent, and Future of Life: Philosophical, Ethical and Theological PerspectivesConstance M. Bertka Where did we come from? Are we alone? Where are we going? These are the questions that define the field of astrobiology. New discoveries about life on Earth, the increasing numbers of extrasolar planets being identified, and the technologies being developed to locate and characterize Earth-like planets around other stars are continually challenging our views of nature and our connection to the rest of the universe. In this book, philosophers, historians, ethicists, and theologians provide the perspectives of their fields on the research and discoveries of astrobiology. A valuable resource for graduate students and researchers, the book provides an introduction to astrobiology, and explores subjects such as the implications of current origin of life research, the possible discovery of extraterrestrial microbial life, and the possibility of altering the environment of Mars. |
Contents
Bertka | 1 |
Emergence and the experimental pursuit of the origin of life | 21 |
changing | 47 |
a Christian perspective | 80 |
reflections on the origin and future | 96 |
A biologists guide to the solar system | 115 |
The quest for habitable worlds and life beyond the solar system | 143 |
A historical perspective on the extent and search for life | 167 |
epistemology ethics | 186 |
Common terms and phrases
amino acids anthropocentrism argue astrobiology atmosphere Augustine Bertka biological biosignatures Biosphere Cambridge University Press cells century challenges chemical Christian complex context cosmic cosmology created Creator Darwin debate detect discovery discussion Earth ecological ecosystems emergence energy entities environment environmental ethics evolution evolutionary evolve example existence exobiology extrasolar planets extraterrestrial extremophiles Genesis genetic God’s habitable habitable zone human idea implications important Intelligent Design interaction intrinsic value issues life's origin liquid water living Mars Martian McKay meaning metabolic microbial missions molecular molecules moral NASA natural selection notion organisms origin-of-life oxygen perspective philosophical physical planetary ecosynthesis planetary protection plurality of worlds possible potential prebiotic preferential option principle problem proteins prudence question ratio-centrism religious RNA world scenario science and religion scientific scientists self-replicating SETI solar system species stars suggest surface temperature terraforming terrestrial theologians theological theory things tion understanding worldview York