Encountering Life In The Universe: Ethical Foundations And Social Implications Of Astrobiology Project Muse Upcc Books

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? How 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 with philosophers, theologians, artists, and the general public, are exploring how we might behave—even before we know for sure they are there. __Encountering Life in the Universe__ is a remarkable resource for such philosophical challenges. 1. Astrobiology, Ethics, And Philosophy / William R. Stoeger, Chris Impey, And Anna H. Spitz -- 2. Lessons From Earth : Towards An Ethics Of Astrobiology / Carol E. Cleland And Elspeth M. Wilson -- 3. Astrobiology And Beyond : From Science To Philosophy And Ethics / William R. Stoeger -- 4. Beyond Horatio's Philosophy : Biological Evolution And The Plurality Of Worlds Concept / Martinez J. Hewlett -- 5. The Wonder Called Cosmic Oneness : Towards Astroethics From Hindu And Buddhist Wisdom And Worldviews / Nishant Alphonse Irudayadason -- 6. Social And Ethical Implications Of Creating Artificial Cells / Mark A. Bedau And Mark Triant -- 7. Space Exploration And Searches For Extraterrestrial Life : Decision Making And Societal Issues / Margaret S. Race -- 8. Astrobiology And Society : The Long View / Christopher P. Mckay -- 9. Planetocentric Ethics : Principles For Exploring A Solar System That May Contain Extraterrestrial Microbial Life / Woodruff T. Sullivan, Iii -- 10. Contact : Who Will Speak For Earth And Should They? / Jill Cornell Tarter -- 11. Astroethics : Engaging Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life-forms / Ted Peters -- 12. A Scientifically Minded Citizenry : The Ethical Responsibility Of All Scientists / Erika Offerdahl -- 13. Survival Ethics And Astrobiology / Neville J. Woolf -- Appendix: Astrobiological Risk: A Dialogue / Steven A. Benner And Neville J. Woolf.. Chris Impey, Anna H. Spitz, William Stoeger, Editors. This Book Grew Out Of The Workshop 'astrobiology: Expanding Our Views Of Society And Self,' Held At The University Of Arizona's (ua) Biosphere 2 Institute In May 2008. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Astrobiology, ethics, and philosophy / Bill Stoeger, Chris Impey, and Anna H. Spitz -- Lessons from Earth : towards an ethics of astrobiology / Carol E. Cleland and Elspeth M. Wilson -- Astrobiology and beyond : from science to philosophy and ethics / William R. Stoeger -- Beyond Horatio's philosophy : biological evolution - the "plurality of worlds" concept / Martinez J. Hewlett -- The wonder called cosmic oneness : towards astroethics from Hindu and Buddhist wisdom and worldviews / Nishant Alphonse Irudayadason -- Social and ethical implications of creating artificial cells / Mark A. Bedau and Mark Triant -- Space exploration and searches for extraterrestrial life : decision making and societal issues / Margaret S. Race -- Astrobiology and society : the long view / Christopher P. McKay -- Planetocentric ethics : principles for exploring a solar system that may contain extraterrestrial microbial life / Woodruff T. Sullivan, III -- Contact : who will speak for Earth and should they? / Jill Tarter -- AstroEthics : engaging extraterrestrial intelligent life forms / Ted Peters -- A scientifically minded citizenry : the ethical responsibility of all scientists / Erika Offerdahl -- Survival ethics and astrobiology / Neville Woolf