Episode #38 - Schwartz on the Ethics of Space Exploration

  In this episode I talk to Dr James Schwartz. James teaches philosophy at Wichita State University.  His primary area of research is philosophy and ethics of space exploration, where he defends a position according to which space exploration derives its value primarily from the importance of the scientific study of the Solar System.  He is editor (with Tony Milligan) of The Ethics of Space Exploration (Springer 2016) and his publications have appeared in Advances in Space Research, Space Policy, Acta Astronautica, Astropolitics, Environmental Ethics, Ethics & the Environment, and Philosophia Mathematica.  He has also contributed chapters to The Meaning of Liberty Beyond Earth, Human Governance Beyond Earth, Dissent, Revolution and Liberty Beyond Earth (each edited by Charles Cockell), and to Yearbook on Space Policy 2015.  He is currently working on a book project, The Value of Space Science.  We talk about all things space-related, including the scientific case for space exploration and the myths that befuddle space advocacy.  You can download the episode here or listen below. You can also subscribe on Stitcher and iTunes (the RSS feed is here). Show Notes0:00 - Introduction1:40 - Why did James get interested in the philosophy of space?3:17 - Is interest in the philosophy and ethics of space exploration on the rise?6:05 - Do space ethicists always say "no"?8:20 - Do we have a duty to explore space? If so, what kind of duty is this?10:30 - Space exploration and the duty to ensure species survival16:16 - The link between space ethics and environmental ethics: between misanthrophy and anthropocentrism19:33 - How would space exploration help human survival?23:20 - The scientific value of space exploration: manned or unmanned?28:30 - Why does the scientific case for space exploration take priority?35:40 - Is it our destiny to explore space?38:46 - Thoughts on Elon Musk and the Colonisation Project44:34 - The Myths of Space Advocacy51:40 - From space philosophy to space policy: getting rid of the myths58:55 - The future of space philosophy  Relevant LinksDr Schwartz's website - The Space Philosopher (with links to papers and works in progress)'Space Settlement: What's the rush?' - by James SchwartzMyth-Free Space Advocacy Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV -by James SchwartzVideo of James's lecture on Worldship Ethics'Prioritizing Scientific Exploration: A Comparison of Ethical Justifications for Space Development and Space Science' - by James SchwartzEpisode 37 with Christopher Yorke (middle section deals with the prospects for a utopia in space). #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ Subscribe to the newsletter