Astrobioethics: Epistemological, Astrotheological, and Interplanetary Issues

Abstract

The themes that arise as we enter the philosophical discussion on astrobiology are many and diverse. Of all these, ethics is presented as a rather complex one. Therefore, astrobioethics is the branch of philosophy and astrobiology that is responsible for studying the moral implications of the search for life in space. In this chapter I will analyze three fundamental aspects: epistemological, astrotheological, and interplanetary issues. Each has its own field of discussion and questions that need to be addressed, so that our new small step for mankind does not end up crushing the life we find in the universe.