Social and Conceptual Issues in Astrobiology

How universal are our moral obligations? Should we attempt to communicate with life beyond our planet? What is "life"? Social and Conceptual Issues in Astrobiology explores the most important questions related to the field of astrobiology, and the resulting book is the most comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach focused on the humanistic issues of the multidisciplinary science of astrobiology to date. Questions surrounding life on other planets have troubled humankind for centuries; this volume outlines the questions for the next decade of research in the field of astrobiology. Kelly C. Smith and Carlos Mariscal have assembled the top scholars from fields spanning history, communication, philosophy, law, and theology to consider the implications of life elsewhere. The perspectives supplied by this expansive group of contributors have never before been collected in book a book focused on astrobiology. This book sets a benchmark for future work in astrobiology, giving readers the groundwork from which to base the continuous scholarship coming from this ever-growing scientific field.

Kelly C. Smith is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Biological Sciences and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Clemson University. He is also President of the Society for Social and Conceptual Issues in Astrobiology. Carlos Mariscal is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and a faculty member of the Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EECB) and Integrative Neuroscience programs at the University of Nevada, Reno.