Encountering Life in the Universe: Ethical Foundations and Social Implications of AstrobiologyChris Impey, Anna H. Spitz, William Stoeger Are we alone in the universe? Are the planets our playground to treat as we will, or do we have a responsibility to other creatures who may inhabit or use them? Do we have a right to dump trash in space or leave vehicles on Mars or the moon? ÊHow should we interact with other life forms? Encountering Life in the Universe examines the intersection of scientific research and society to further explore the ethics of how to behave in a universe where much is unknown. Taking contributions from notable experts in several fields, the editors skillfully introduce and develop a broad look at the moral questions facing humans on Earth and beyond. Major advances in biology, biotechnology, and medicine create an urgency to ethical considerations in those fields. Astrobiology goes on to debate how we might behave as we explore new worlds, or create new life in the laboratory, or interact with extraterrestrial life forms. Stimulated by new technologies for scientific exploration on and off the Earth, astrobiology is establishing itself as a distinct scientific endeavor. In what way can established philosophies provide guidance for the new frontiers opened by astrobiology research? Can the foundations of ethics and moral philosophy help answer questions about modifying other planets? Or about how to conduct experiments to create life in the lab or about? How to interact with organisms we might discover on another world? While we wait for the first echo that might indicate life beyond Earth, astobiologists, along withÊ philosophers, theologians, artists, and the general public, are exploring how we might behaveÑeven before we know for sure they are there. Encountering Life in the Universe is a remarkable resource for such philosophical challenges. |
Contents
1 Astrobiology Ethics and Philosophy William R Stoeger Chris Impey and Anna H Spitz | 1 |
Toward an Ethics of Astrobiology Carol E Cleland and Elspeth M Wilson | 17 |
From Science to Philosophy and Ethics William R Stoeger | 56 |
Biological Evolution and the Plurality of Worlds Concept Martinez J Hewlett | 80 |
Toward Astroethics from Hindu and Buddhist Wisdom and Worldviews Nishant Alphonse Irudayadason | 94 |
6 Social and Ethical Implications of Creating Artificial Cells Mark A Bedau and Mark Triant | 120 |
Decision Making and Societal Issues Margaret S Race | 141 |
The Long View Christopher P McKay | 158 |
Who Will Speak for Earth and Should They? Jill Cornell Tarter | 178 |
Engaging Extraterrestrial Intelligent LifeForms Ted Peters | 200 |
The Ethical Responsibility of All Scientists Erika Offerdahl | 222 |
13 Survival Ethics and Astrobiology Neville J Woolf | 236 |
Astrobiological Risk A Dialogue Steven A Benner and Neville J Woolf | 247 |
Further Reading | 257 |
Contributors | 259 |
| 267 | |
Principles for Exploring a Solar System That May Contain Extraterrestrial Microbial Life Woodruff T Sullivan III | 167 |
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