Extraterrestrial Altruism

Evolution and Ethics in the Cosmos

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Astronomy, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy, New Age
Cover of the book Extraterrestrial Altruism by , Springer Berlin Heidelberg
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9783642377501
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg Publication: September 14, 2013
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9783642377501
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication: September 14, 2013
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Extraterrestrial Altruism examines a basic assumption of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI): that extraterrestrials will be transmitting messages to us for our benefit. This question of whether extraterrestrials will be altruistic has become increasingly important in recent years as SETI scientists have begun contemplating transmissions from Earth to make contact.

Technological civilizations that transmit signals for the benefit of others, but with no immediate gain for themselves, certainly seem to be altruistic. But does this make biological sense? Should we expect altruism to evolve throughout the cosmos, or is this only wishful thinking? Is it dangerous to send messages to other worlds, as Stephen Hawking has suggested, or might humankind benefit from an exchange with intelligence elsewhere in the galaxy? Would extraterrestrial societies be based on different ethical principles, or would we see commonalities with Earthly notions of morality? Extraterrestrial Altruism explores these and related questions about the motivations of civilizations beyond Earth, providing new insights that are critical for SETI.

Chapters are authored by leading scholars from diverse disciplines—anthropology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, cosmology, engineering, history of science, law, philosophy, psychology, public policy, and sociology. The book is carefully edited by Douglas Vakoch, Director of Interstellar Message Composition at the SETI Institute and professor of clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. The Foreword is by Frank Drake.

This interdisciplinary book will benefit everybody trying to understand whether evolution and ethics are unique to Earth, or whether they are built into the fabric of the universe.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Extraterrestrial Altruism examines a basic assumption of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI): that extraterrestrials will be transmitting messages to us for our benefit. This question of whether extraterrestrials will be altruistic has become increasingly important in recent years as SETI scientists have begun contemplating transmissions from Earth to make contact.

Technological civilizations that transmit signals for the benefit of others, but with no immediate gain for themselves, certainly seem to be altruistic. But does this make biological sense? Should we expect altruism to evolve throughout the cosmos, or is this only wishful thinking? Is it dangerous to send messages to other worlds, as Stephen Hawking has suggested, or might humankind benefit from an exchange with intelligence elsewhere in the galaxy? Would extraterrestrial societies be based on different ethical principles, or would we see commonalities with Earthly notions of morality? Extraterrestrial Altruism explores these and related questions about the motivations of civilizations beyond Earth, providing new insights that are critical for SETI.

Chapters are authored by leading scholars from diverse disciplines—anthropology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, cosmology, engineering, history of science, law, philosophy, psychology, public policy, and sociology. The book is carefully edited by Douglas Vakoch, Director of Interstellar Message Composition at the SETI Institute and professor of clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. The Foreword is by Frank Drake.

This interdisciplinary book will benefit everybody trying to understand whether evolution and ethics are unique to Earth, or whether they are built into the fabric of the universe.

More books from Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Cover of the book Cardiovascular MRI in Congenital Heart Disease by
Cover of the book AIDS-Related Neoplasias by
Cover of the book Operative Neurosurgery by
Cover of the book Advances in Meteorology, Climatology and Atmospheric Physics by
Cover of the book Prion Proteins by
Cover of the book Betriebssysteme by
Cover of the book NMR-Tomography and -Spectroscopy in Medicine by
Cover of the book Applied Plant Cell Biology by
Cover of the book Vertrauen gewinnen by
Cover of the book Abdominal and Pelvic MRI by
Cover of the book Risk and Cognition by
Cover of the book Openness, Economic Growth and Regional Disparities by
Cover of the book Agile Kaizen by
Cover of the book Glycans in Diseases and Therapeutics by
Cover of the book Iridium Catalysis by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy