The ethics of astrobiology: Humanity’s place in the cosmos and the extinction problem
Western philosophy has always stressed the importance of understanding the very nature of the universe and the relationship between humanity and the cosmos. Nowadays, astrobiology is used to shed light on that issue through a set of empirical data. Also, the Fermi paradox and the Rare Earth hypothes...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2022.1008265/full |
| _version_ | 1811241883727298560 |
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| author | Luca Lo Sapio |
| author_facet | Luca Lo Sapio |
| author_sort | Luca Lo Sapio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Western philosophy has always stressed the importance of understanding the very nature of the universe and the relationship between humanity and the cosmos. Nowadays, astrobiology is used to shed light on that issue through a set of empirical data. Also, the Fermi paradox and the Rare Earth hypothesis could offer a suitable ground to properly interpret the proofs emerging from space exploration and direct and indirect observations from astronomers, that is, “we are likely the only intelligent species within the universe.” From this, we can say that maybe we are confronted with a cosmic bet. We should better wager on our cosmic importance as a species, otherwise the loss could be immense: the disappearance of the only species through which the universe enabled itself to understand its own secrets and cosmic treasures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:42:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-59d32388dc024c768b9705fe1bd28c80 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-987X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:42:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-59d32388dc024c768b9705fe1bd28c802022-12-22T03:30:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences2296-987X2022-10-01910.3389/fspas.2022.10082651008265The ethics of astrobiology: Humanity’s place in the cosmos and the extinction problemLuca Lo SapioWestern philosophy has always stressed the importance of understanding the very nature of the universe and the relationship between humanity and the cosmos. Nowadays, astrobiology is used to shed light on that issue through a set of empirical data. Also, the Fermi paradox and the Rare Earth hypothesis could offer a suitable ground to properly interpret the proofs emerging from space exploration and direct and indirect observations from astronomers, that is, “we are likely the only intelligent species within the universe.” From this, we can say that maybe we are confronted with a cosmic bet. We should better wager on our cosmic importance as a species, otherwise the loss could be immense: the disappearance of the only species through which the universe enabled itself to understand its own secrets and cosmic treasures.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2022.1008265/fullcosmosethics of astrobiologyFermi paradoxRare Earth hypothesiscosmic bet |
| spellingShingle | Luca Lo Sapio The ethics of astrobiology: Humanity’s place in the cosmos and the extinction problem Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences cosmos ethics of astrobiology Fermi paradox Rare Earth hypothesis cosmic bet |
| title | The ethics of astrobiology: Humanity’s place in the cosmos and the extinction problem |
| title_full | The ethics of astrobiology: Humanity’s place in the cosmos and the extinction problem |
| title_fullStr | The ethics of astrobiology: Humanity’s place in the cosmos and the extinction problem |
| title_full_unstemmed | The ethics of astrobiology: Humanity’s place in the cosmos and the extinction problem |
| title_short | The ethics of astrobiology: Humanity’s place in the cosmos and the extinction problem |
| title_sort | ethics of astrobiology humanity s place in the cosmos and the extinction problem |
| topic | cosmos ethics of astrobiology Fermi paradox Rare Earth hypothesis cosmic bet |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2022.1008265/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lucalosapio theethicsofastrobiologyhumanitysplaceinthecosmosandtheextinctionproblem AT lucalosapio ethicsofastrobiologyhumanitysplaceinthecosmosandtheextinctionproblem |