The Societal Impact of Extraterrestrial Life: The Relevance of History and the Social Sciences

Abstract

This chapter reviews past studies on the societal impact of extraterrestrial life and offers four related ways in which history is relevant to the subject: the history of impact thus far, analogical reasoning, impact studies in other areas of science and technology, and studies on the nature of discovery and exploration. We focus particularly on the promise and peril of analogical arguments, since they are by necessity widespread in the field. This chapter also summarizes the relevance of the social sciences, particularly anthropology and sociology, and concludes by taking a closer look at the possible impact of the discovery of extraterrestrial life on theology and philosophy. In undertaking this study we emphasize three bedrock principles: (1) we cannot predict the future; (2) society is not monolithic, implying many impacts depending on religion, culture and worldview; (3) the impact of any discovery of extraterrestrial life is scenario-dependent.

Marine Science Can Contribute to the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life

“…In some cases, the concept and the definition of intelligence itself need to be investigated and revised (justifying the term “philosophy” in the sub-cluster), in order to perform appropriate searches for extra-terrestrial intelligence [ 184 , 185 ]. In fact, philosophical aspects of the existence of extra-terrestrial life are investigated [ 186 , 187 , 188 , 189 , 190 ], including theological implications [ 191 , 192 ]. Terms related to intelligence could also refer to the artificial intelligence and robotics solutions needed to perform autonomous space missions [ 193 , 194 , 195 ].…”

philosophical and historical perspective about terms Astrobiology, Exobiology, Cosmobiology, Xenology and Bioastronomy

“…In other words, the withdrawal of analogy as an argument form would be an existential threat to the survival of Astrobiology as a discipline. (Dick, 2013) Although this type of inferential procedure mentioned by Dick is used in a logical inductivist way and is based on behaviors or characteristics of known objects to speculate and expand the representations involved about what is unknown -if it really exists. This task is not simple!…”

Speaking Out to Outer Space – An Analysis of the Humanity's Messages to Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life, 1962–2018

“…The possibility (even of the most remote sort) of extraterrestrial intelligence has always evoked the most mixed of human feelings, from fear and fascination to religious awe and artistic inspiration (Dick 1982(Dick , 2013. While topics related to ETI and the universe in general remain a fringe section in the social sciences, they do reflect common sentiments in societies around the world (Lampert and Papadongonas 2018).…”

“…Interestingly, what is missing from these messages is crude nationalism (e.g., anthems, specific flags) and religious symbols. The omission of the latter might be explained by the problematic relationship between religion and potential ETI in general (Dick 1982(Dick , 2013. Instead, it seems messengers are capable of imagining a united and peaceful humanity and perhaps it may take an extraterrestrial outgroup to bond a planetwide ingroup (whatever that means for the out-group) (Vakoch 2018).…”