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Space Ethics

Brian Patrick Green

Throughout history, humans have explored new places, making both good and bad moral decisions along the way. As humanity proceeds to explore space, it is important that we learn from the successes and not repeat the mistakes of the past. This book provides the first comprehensive introduction to ethics as it applies to space exploration and use. It examines real-world case studies that exemplify the ethical challenges we face in exploring beyond Earth: space debris, militarization in space, hazardous asteroids, planetary protection, the search for extraterrestrial life, commercial and private sector activities in space, space settlements, very long duration missions, and planetary-scale interventions. Major themes include human health, environmental concerns, safety and risk, governance and decision-making, and opportunities and challenges of multidisciplinary and international contexts. Ideal for classroom use and beyond, the book provides ways of thinking that will help students, academics and policymakers examine the full range of ethical decisions on questions related to space exploration.
  • Details
  • Details
  • Author
  • Author
  • TOC
  • TOC
  • Reviews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Features
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International
Pages: 304 • Trim: 7¼ x 10
978-1-78660-026-4 • Hardback • October 2021 • $122.00 • (£94.00)
978-1-78660-027-1 • Paperback • October 2021 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
978-1-78660-028-8 • eBook • October 2021 • $42.50 • (£35.00)
Subjects: Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Social Science / Technology Studies, Philosophy / Ethics / Applied Ethics, Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects, Philosophy / Philosophy of Technology
Courses: Philosophy; Philosophy of Science, Philosophy; Ethics; Philosophy of Technology, Philosophy; Ethics; Applied Ethics

Brian Patrick Green is the director of technology ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Green teaches AI ethics in the Graduate School of Engineering and formerly taught several other engineering ethics courses. He is co-author of the Ethics in Technology Practice corporate technology ethics resources.

CHAPTER 1: Why Space Ethics?

CHAPTER 2: Questions of “Should”: Ethics Applied to Space

CHAPTER 3: Risk and Safety

CHAPTER 4: Space and Human Health

CHAPTER 5: The Dangers of Space Debris

CHAPTER 6: Military, Dual-Use Activities, and International Relations in Space

CHAPTER 7: Protecting Earth from Hazardous Asteroids and Other Extraterrestrial Dangers

CHAPTER 8: Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life

CHAPTER 9: Contamination, Planetary Protection, and Responsible Exploration

CHAPTER 10: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

CHAPTER 11: New Players in Space: New Nations and Commercial, Private, and Non-Governmental Activities in Space

CHAPTER 12: Traveling to the Planets and the Stars: Very Long Duration Spaceflight and Human Biology

CHAPTER 13: Building Your Martian Home: Living in and Settlement of Space

CHAPTER 14: Planetary-Scale Interventions on Earth and Afar

CHAPTER 15: Conclusion

GLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The emerging commercial space industry is raising new types of ethical questions about the privatization of space travel and planetary exploration. The industry is carrying out commercial endeavors ahead of the development of specifically established government regulations and industry standards. Much of the oversight of commercial space flight emerges from the Federal Aviation Administration and commercial space industries. As lucidly explained in this book, the ethical issues of space flight involve human safety issues, environmental quality concerns, and business conduct and integrity practices typically associated with new technologies and entrepreneurial ventures. The author compares the ramifications of current planetary space flight endeavors to those of the long-distance ocean voyages early peoples seeking resources and livelihoods in distant lands made. The text also describes novel ethical concerns related to living in space and encountering life-forms that may exist on other planets. The viewpoints expressed in the book are pragmatic and based on the author's experiences as director of a technology ethics program. Green discusses the philosophical principles underlying each ethical concern of interest. A case study, discussion questions, and recommended further readings from primary sources supplement each chapter. Recommended. All readers.


— Choice Reviews


An excellent primer on the basic issues of contemporary space ethics, written in a clear, engaging, and evenhanded fashion. There is no better way to introduce yourself to the topic.

Keith Abney, California Polytechnic State University


—


“We always have to start now,” Green reminds us and Space Ethics is the perfect launching pad for consideration of what is at stake in exploration of the final frontier. Green provides a framework for considering responsible interactions between humans, the Earth, and the vastness of space. I have wanted to teach a course on space ethics for years—finally I have the ideal text.

Margaret R. McLean, associate director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University


—


We are at the beginning of the true space age and this groundbreaking work is the first to explore the wide array of ethical issues this exciting new era brings to the fore: from space debris to planetary protection to the search for life on other worlds. It is destined to become a classic in the field.

Kelly C. Smith, professor of philosophy and biological sciences at Clemson University and President of the Society for Social and Conceptual Issues in Astrobiology


—


Author Interviews and Articles

The Final (Ethical) Frontier

SCU Blog, Illuminate

https://www.scu.edu/illuminate/thought-leaders/brian-patrick-green/space-the-final-ethical-frontier-.html

Philosophy Talk Interview

https://soundcloud.com/philosophytalk/barian-green-2021-extended

Alien Life Out There

Podcast interview

https://relevantradio.com/2022/01/alien-life-out-there-is-it-bad-to-have-too-much-money/

'Star Wars' terrorism and the ethics of space

https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/star-wars-terrorism-and-the-ethics

Biden’s space agenda & the ethics of exploration

Podcast/radio interview

https://www.wmfe.org/bidens-space-agenda-the-ethics-of-exploration/193477

The Year in Space Tourism with Brian Green from Santa Clara University, author of Space Ethics

Podcast interview

https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/examined-year-2021

The Space Show

Podcast interview

https://www.thespaceshow.com/guest/dr.-brian-green

Brian Green Tackles Ethics in Space

News article on Markkula Center website

https://www.scu.edu/ethics/about-the-center/center-news/brian-green-tackles-ethics-in-space/

Space Exploration and Ethics

Promotional landing page on Makkula Center website

https://www.scu.edu/ethics/space-ethics/



7/28/22, Choice: This book was featured in a roundup of books recommended for community colleges.

Link: https://www.choice360.org/choice-pick/the-top-75-community-college-titles-july-2022-edition/



12/6/24, US Catholic – Glad You Asked podcast: Green discussed the ethics of AI through a Catholic lens.

Link: https://uscatholic.org/articles/202412/glad-you-asked-should-catholics-use-ai/



Space Ethics

Cover Image
Hardback
Paperback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • Throughout history, humans have explored new places, making both good and bad moral decisions along the way. As humanity proceeds to explore space, it is important that we learn from the successes and not repeat the mistakes of the past. This book provides the first comprehensive introduction to ethics as it applies to space exploration and use. It examines real-world case studies that exemplify the ethical challenges we face in exploring beyond Earth: space debris, militarization in space, hazardous asteroids, planetary protection, the search for extraterrestrial life, commercial and private sector activities in space, space settlements, very long duration missions, and planetary-scale interventions. Major themes include human health, environmental concerns, safety and risk, governance and decision-making, and opportunities and challenges of multidisciplinary and international contexts. Ideal for classroom use and beyond, the book provides ways of thinking that will help students, academics and policymakers examine the full range of ethical decisions on questions related to space exploration.
Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International
    Pages: 304 • Trim: 7¼ x 10
    978-1-78660-026-4 • Hardback • October 2021 • $122.00 • (£94.00)
    978-1-78660-027-1 • Paperback • October 2021 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
    978-1-78660-028-8 • eBook • October 2021 • $42.50 • (£35.00)
    Subjects: Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Social Science / Technology Studies, Philosophy / Ethics / Applied Ethics, Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects, Philosophy / Philosophy of Technology
    Courses: Philosophy; Philosophy of Science, Philosophy; Ethics; Philosophy of Technology, Philosophy; Ethics; Applied Ethics
Author
Author
  • Brian Patrick Green is the director of technology ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Green teaches AI ethics in the Graduate School of Engineering and formerly taught several other engineering ethics courses. He is co-author of the Ethics in Technology Practice corporate technology ethics resources.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • CHAPTER 1: Why Space Ethics?

    CHAPTER 2: Questions of “Should”: Ethics Applied to Space

    CHAPTER 3: Risk and Safety

    CHAPTER 4: Space and Human Health

    CHAPTER 5: The Dangers of Space Debris

    CHAPTER 6: Military, Dual-Use Activities, and International Relations in Space

    CHAPTER 7: Protecting Earth from Hazardous Asteroids and Other Extraterrestrial Dangers

    CHAPTER 8: Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life

    CHAPTER 9: Contamination, Planetary Protection, and Responsible Exploration

    CHAPTER 10: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

    CHAPTER 11: New Players in Space: New Nations and Commercial, Private, and Non-Governmental Activities in Space

    CHAPTER 12: Traveling to the Planets and the Stars: Very Long Duration Spaceflight and Human Biology

    CHAPTER 13: Building Your Martian Home: Living in and Settlement of Space

    CHAPTER 14: Planetary-Scale Interventions on Earth and Afar

    CHAPTER 15: Conclusion

    GLOSSARY

    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reviews
Reviews
  • The emerging commercial space industry is raising new types of ethical questions about the privatization of space travel and planetary exploration. The industry is carrying out commercial endeavors ahead of the development of specifically established government regulations and industry standards. Much of the oversight of commercial space flight emerges from the Federal Aviation Administration and commercial space industries. As lucidly explained in this book, the ethical issues of space flight involve human safety issues, environmental quality concerns, and business conduct and integrity practices typically associated with new technologies and entrepreneurial ventures. The author compares the ramifications of current planetary space flight endeavors to those of the long-distance ocean voyages early peoples seeking resources and livelihoods in distant lands made. The text also describes novel ethical concerns related to living in space and encountering life-forms that may exist on other planets. The viewpoints expressed in the book are pragmatic and based on the author's experiences as director of a technology ethics program. Green discusses the philosophical principles underlying each ethical concern of interest. A case study, discussion questions, and recommended further readings from primary sources supplement each chapter. Recommended. All readers.


    — Choice Reviews


    An excellent primer on the basic issues of contemporary space ethics, written in a clear, engaging, and evenhanded fashion. There is no better way to introduce yourself to the topic.

    Keith Abney, California Polytechnic State University


    —


    “We always have to start now,” Green reminds us and Space Ethics is the perfect launching pad for consideration of what is at stake in exploration of the final frontier. Green provides a framework for considering responsible interactions between humans, the Earth, and the vastness of space. I have wanted to teach a course on space ethics for years—finally I have the ideal text.

    Margaret R. McLean, associate director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University


    —


    We are at the beginning of the true space age and this groundbreaking work is the first to explore the wide array of ethical issues this exciting new era brings to the fore: from space debris to planetary protection to the search for life on other worlds. It is destined to become a classic in the field.

    Kelly C. Smith, professor of philosophy and biological sciences at Clemson University and President of the Society for Social and Conceptual Issues in Astrobiology


    —


Features
Features
  • Author Interviews and Articles

    The Final (Ethical) Frontier

    SCU Blog, Illuminate

    https://www.scu.edu/illuminate/thought-leaders/brian-patrick-green/space-the-final-ethical-frontier-.html

    Philosophy Talk Interview

    https://soundcloud.com/philosophytalk/barian-green-2021-extended

    Alien Life Out There

    Podcast interview

    https://relevantradio.com/2022/01/alien-life-out-there-is-it-bad-to-have-too-much-money/

    'Star Wars' terrorism and the ethics of space

    https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/star-wars-terrorism-and-the-ethics

    Biden’s space agenda & the ethics of exploration

    Podcast/radio interview

    https://www.wmfe.org/bidens-space-agenda-the-ethics-of-exploration/193477

    The Year in Space Tourism with Brian Green from Santa Clara University, author of Space Ethics

    Podcast interview

    https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/examined-year-2021

    The Space Show

    Podcast interview

    https://www.thespaceshow.com/guest/dr.-brian-green

    Brian Green Tackles Ethics in Space

    News article on Markkula Center website

    https://www.scu.edu/ethics/about-the-center/center-news/brian-green-tackles-ethics-in-space/

    Space Exploration and Ethics

    Promotional landing page on Makkula Center website

    https://www.scu.edu/ethics/space-ethics/



    7/28/22, Choice: This book was featured in a roundup of books recommended for community colleges.

    Link: https://www.choice360.org/choice-pick/the-top-75-community-college-titles-july-2022-edition/



    12/6/24, US Catholic – Glad You Asked podcast: Green discussed the ethics of AI through a Catholic lens.

    Link: https://uscatholic.org/articles/202412/glad-you-asked-should-catholics-use-ai/



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