Exophilosophy

This volume addresses philosophical questions raised by the possibility of alien life and extraterrestrial intelligence. The different philosophical perspectives and approaches presented across the chapters will provide a foundation for future work on exophilosophy. Interest in space, space exploration, and alien life has never been greater. In popular culture, for example, it has proven a persistent theme in science fiction films (e.g., Star Trek, Star Wars), books (e.g., H. G. Wells, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury), and computer games (e.g., Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri), as well as bestselling 'non- fiction' books (von Däniken's multimillion-selling Chariots of the Gods?), and hit 'documentary' shows (e.g., Ancient Aliens). There has also been persistent interest in these topics amongst scientists with organizations such as NASA and SETI having an enormous impact on both the scientific and popular imagination. Yet, curiously, the topic has received relatively little philosophical attention. Whilst certain aspects of these topics remain within the proper purview of the sciences, a host of philosophical questions are raised by the possibility of alien life and extraterrestrial intelligences, and the possibility of our coming into contact with them. This collection of essays will examine some of these questions whilst laying the groundwork for future study in an as-yet under-researched area of philosophy. Exophilosophy is essential reading for scholars and students with an interest in space and philosophy, especially those working in philosophy of science, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of religion.

Richard Playford is currently Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion at Leeds Trinity University. He holds a PhD from the University of Reading. His most recent publication, prior to this, co-authored with Stephen Bullivant and Janet Siefert, is God and Astrobiology (2024).

Introduction Richard Playford Part 1: Identity and Identification 1. Is Life Observable? Thomas Metcalf and Chelsea Haramia 2. How to Think About UFOs Robert CB Miller Part 2: Ethics and Values 3. We Come in Peace: Our Metaphysical Obligations to Aliens Richard Playford 4. Hegelian Aliens: A Call for Cosmic Completion Lewis Howeth 5. Music of the Spheres: Could Aliens Understand Music? Gregory Stacey Part 3: Communication 6. Alien Words: Some Difficulties with Pre-Dysonian SETI Robert CB Miller 7. If An Alien Could Talk, Could We Understand It? David Ellis Part 4: Religion 8. Dharmic Perspectives on Exophilosophy: The Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain Traditions on the Possibility of Extraterrestrial Life Jeffery D. Long 9. Abrahamic Perspectives on Exophilosophy: The Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Traditions on the Possibility of Extraterrestrial Life Richard Playford 10. If Not God, then...Aliens? The Ancient Astronaut Hypothesis and Popular Atheism Stephen Bullivant