Would the Discovery of ETI Provoke a Religious Crisis?

Peters, Ted

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-35983-5_19

Cited by 32 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In general, for Christians as well as for other religions, indigenous theologians see little problem, while those external to religion proclaim the fatal impact of extraterrestrials on Earth-bound theologies (Peters 2009(Peters , 2011(Peters , 2013.…”

Section: Theologymentioning

confidence: 98%

The Societal Impact of Extraterrestrial Life: The Relevance of History and the Social Sciences

Dick

2013

Astrobiology, History, and Society

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This chapter reviews past studies on the societal impact of extraterrestrial life and offers four related ways in which history is relevant to the subject: the history of impact thus far, analogical reasoning, impact studies in other areas of science and technology, and studies on the nature of discovery and exploration. We focus particularly on the promise and peril of analogical arguments, since they are by necessity widespread in the field. This chapter also summarizes the relevance of the social sciences, particularly anthropology and sociology, and concludes by taking a closer look at the possible impact of the discovery of extraterrestrial life on theology and philosophy. In undertaking this study we emphasize three bedrock principles: (1) we cannot predict the future; (2) society is not monolithic, implying many impacts depending on religion, culture and worldview; (3) the impact of any discovery of extraterrestrial life is scenario-dependent.

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Section: Theologymentioning

confidence: 98%

The Societal Impact of Extraterrestrial Life: The Relevance of History and the Social Sciences

Dick

2013

Astrobiology, History, and Society

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“…This default compatibilism seems to be the consensus. The issue has arisen repeatedly in the history of Christian theology and recent surveys suggest that Christians do not find their own beliefs threatenedthough they think the beliefs of others should be (Dick 1996, p. 517;Peters 2011Peters , 2013. Weintraub (2014, p. 5) cites a survey in which 37% of American respondents believed that extraterrestrial life exists.…”

Section: Insight 3: Astrobiology Fits Into a Larger Picture Of The Unmentioning

confidence: 99%

Philosophy and data in astrobiology

Mix

2017

International Journal of Astrobiology

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Creating a unified model of life in the universe – history, extent and future – requires both scientific and humanities research. One way that humanities can contribute is by investigating the relationship between philosophical commitments and data. Making those commitments transparent allows scientists to use the data more fully. Insights in four areas – history, ethics, religion and probability – demonstrate the value of careful, astrobiology-specific humanities research for improving how we talk and think about astrobiology as a whole. First, astrobiology has a long and influential history. Second, astrobiology does not decentre humanity, either physically or ethically. Third, astrobiology is broadly compatible with major world religions. Finally, claims about the probability of life arising or existing elsewhere rest heavily on philosophical priors. In all four cases, identifying philosophical commitments clarifies the ways in which data can tell us about life.

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“…The fact that this rumor persists and that theologians such as Crysdale and Hefner believe the rumor provide sufficient reason for the astrotheologian to put the question on his or her to‐do list: is it, in fact, the case that religious people are geocentric and anthropocentric? (Peters , )…”

Section: Four Tasks Proposed For the Astrotheologianmentioning

confidence: 99%

Astrotheology: A Constructive Proposal

Peters¹

2014

Zygon

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As we envision constructive undertakings in the field of religion and science for the next decade, the emerging agenda of astrotheology is opening up a new theater for enquiry. Astrotheology provides a critical theological response to the field of astrobiology while critically assessing exciting new research on life in our solar system and the discovery of exoplanets. This article proposes four tasks for the astrotheologian: deliberate on (1) the scope of creation: is God's creation Earth‐centric or does it include the entire cosmos? (2) the question whether a single divine incarnation on Earth suffices for the cosmos or whether multiple incarnations—one for each inhabited planet—is required; (3) whether astrobiologists and other space scientists are sticking to their science or smuggling in ideology; and (4) readying terrestrial life for contact with extraterrestrial life by enumerating issues to be taken up by astroethics.

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Would the Discovery of ETI Provoke a Religious Crisis?

Cited by 32 publications

References 14 publications

The Societal Impact of Extraterrestrial Life: The Relevance of History and the Social Sciences

The Societal Impact of Extraterrestrial Life: The Relevance of History and the Social Sciences

Philosophy and data in astrobiology

Astrotheology: A Constructive Proposal

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