Previous Workshops
8-10 May 2008 Astrobiology: Enhancing our View of Society and Ourselves
B2 Institute, Biosphere 2 Oracle, Arizona
The workshop brought together astronomers, biologists, chemists, philosophers, planetary scientists and theologians to discuss the ethical issues raised uniquely in astrobiology. Research in astrobiology evokes profound questions for researchers and the larger society. These questions raise ethical issues for scientists beyond those typically considered in scientific ethics classes. Even beyond the biological ethics concerning the beginning and end of life, astrobiology requires scientists to examine fundamental beliefs concerning what life is, how worldview and science interact, how life evolves, how humans should explore and how to deal with being alone or not alone in the universe. The workshop participants drafted a resolution calling for a revision in the basis of planetary protection and submitted it to the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) for consideration.
This workshop was dedicated to the career of Neville J. Woolf to honor his achievements in establishing astrobiological research at the University of Arizona.
For copies of some of the workshop presentations, click on the titles below:
- Astrobiology and Beyond: From the Sciences to Philosophy and Ethics - William Stoeger
- Emergence in Neo-Darwinian Evolution: A Basis for Ethics in Astrobiology - George Coyne
- Astrobiology at the Intersection of Science and Religion in Human Behavior - Victor Hruby
- Beyond Horatio's Philosophy: Biological Evolution and the Plurality of Worlds Concept - Martinez Hewlett
- What is Life? Foundational Issues in the Ethics of Astrobiology - Carol Cleland
- Ethical Implications of Space Exploration - Margaret Race
- Who will Speak for Earth? - Jill Tarter
- The Discovery of Extraterrestrial Microbes: Would Anyone Care? - Woody Sullivan
- Putting it all Together: Where Are We, and Where Do We Go From Here? - Nick Woolf
For more information about the workshop outcomes, contact Anna Spitz.
