The History and Philosophy of Astrobiology: Perspectives on Extraterrestrial Life and the Human Mind
Research output: Book/Report › Anthology (editor)
Abstract
The book is divided into three sections. The first (Cognition) focuses on the human mind and what it contributes to the search for life. It explores the emergence and evolution of terrestrial life and cognition and the challenges humans face as they reach to the stars. The essays raise philosophical questions, pose ethical dilemmas, and offer a variety of approaches, including one from cognitive zoology, in formulating a theory of the universal principles of intelligence, the limits of human conceptual abilities, and the human mind’s encounter with the unknown.
The second section (Communication) examines the linguistic and semiotic requirements for interstellar communication. What is needed for successful communication? Are there universal rules for success? What are the possible features – and limitations – of exolanguages? What is required for recognizing a message as a message?
The third section (Culture) considers cultural and societal issues. It explores astrobiology’s organization as a scientific discipline, its responsibilities to the public sphere, and its theological implications. It reviews the historically important panspermia hypothesis, along with the popularization of astrobiology and its ongoing institutionalisation.
Through addressing these questions, we take our first steps in exploring the immense terra incognita of extraterrestrial life and the human mind.
Details
Authors | |
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Organisations | |
Research areas and keywords | Subject classification (UKÄ) – MANDATORY
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Original language | English |
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Publisher | Cambridge Scholars Publishing |
Number of pages | 280 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-1-4438-5035-3 |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Publication category | Research |
Peer-reviewed | No |
Related research output
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Paper in conference proceeding
Related projects
Sara Lenninger, Göran Sonesson, Junichi Toyota, Ingar Brinck, Lars Kopp, Arthur Holmer, Anastasia Karlsson, Damrong Tayanin, Gerd Carling, Gisela Håkansson, Johan Blomberg, Jordan Zlatev, Lars-Åke Henningsson, Mats Andrén, Susan Sayehli, Teresa Strandviken, Joel Parthemore, Tomas Persson, Anna Cabak Rédei, Elainie Alenkær Madsen, Alf Hornborg, Mats Andrén, Lars-Åke Henningsson, Lars Kopp, Damrong Tayanin & Junichi Toyota
2009/01/01 → 2014/12/31
Project: Research