Space Ethics - by Brian Patrick Green (Hardcover)

About the Book

An introduction to the basic issues of space ethics: the technology, the impact on society, and the frontiers of thinking about space exploration from theory to practice.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"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

About the 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.