Space Ethics

by Brian Green

Throughout history, humans have explored new places, making both good and bad moral decisions along the way. As humanity proceeds to explore space, it is important that we learn from the successes and not repeat the mistakes of the past. This book provides the first comprehensive introduction to ethics as it applies to space exploration and use. It examines real-world case studies that exemplify the ethical challenges we face in exploring beyond space debris, militarization in space, hazardous asteroids, planetary protection, the search for extraterrestrial life, commercial and private sector activities in space, space settlements, very long duration missions, and planetary-scale interventions. Major themes include human health, environmental concerns, safety and risk, governance and decision-making, and opportunities and challenges of multidisciplinary and international contexts. Ideal for classroom use and beyond, the book provides ways of thinking that will help students, academics and policymakers examine the full range of ethical decisions on questions related to space exploration.

303 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2021

Reviews

[Rue · Rating 4 out of 5]

To begin with, I have to say that I have a lot of personal reservations about space travel. But, I would also have to say that I greatly admire Brian Patrick Green’s book. It is more than obvious that Green happens to be an advocate of space travel, which is something that I may not agree with myself, but Green also never abandons logic in his analysis of the potential problems that could arise out of space exploration. He never shies away from approaching ethical problems, even those that could hinder space exploration in the future. For example, Green’s commentary on the effects of outer space on human health was exceptionally compelling. Many of us are aware of the health complications that astronauts had, but we seem to forget about them when it comes to discussing the future of space exploration. If space exploration is desired, than we have to understand what consequences it might have on our health. To say the least, Brian Patrick Green’s book is an invaluable resource. If you’re new to the ethics of space exploration, than look no further than Green’s Space Ethics.

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Green's Space Ethics went beyond explaining the technical issues that are often the forefront to space travel which are a necessary basis for a novice level understanding of space (me!), but do not cover the entire picture that is important to look at when arguing for or against space exploration/colonization/monetization. This book paints a clear picture of the questions about the ethical situations that must be considered when looking at space without the complete space pessimism I felt from Duedney's Dark Skies. I think the two books worked well in conjunction as a way of looking at what is necessary for space (a topic that could literally not be more vast!) and deepened my personal knowledge and considerations going forward. At the end, I want so badly to be pro-space, for ego, humanitarian, science reasons alike...but there is too much that is not quite there and yet to be totally considered.

[Claudio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe Green does a great job in presenting the reader with the ethical issues of space exploration. He addresses real world issues that will be necessary for space exploration, such as space: space colonization, space politics, extraterrestrial life, and even pollution. Green makes sure to emphasize the importance of decision making that comes with space exploration and always addresses the obstacles that come with space exploration in a logical way and doesn’t deviate too much into science fiction themes. I think that his approach to this issue reflects that he is a supporter of space exploration and you can notice this in his writing. Green’s book does an excellent job in making the reader think about all the implications that would come with space exploration in the future and makes us realize how important and how complicated of an issue this is. I believe Green’s book does an excellent job in presenting every challenge of space exploration.

[Alec Leaper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Green's analysis of the implications of navigating space exploration more so than Deudney's in Dark Skies, and this is primarily due to the reserved optimism with which Green approaches the subject. Reading often like a thoroughly-sourced debate transcript, Space Ethics weighs both sides of the conversation around various aspects of exploration in order to synthesize a cautious yet confident pathway with which we can navigate the stars ethically and responsibly. There's a level of naivete in certain aspects, particularly in regard to how relevant speculative fiction may be to the actual colonization of Mars, but it never becomes overbearing or clouds the actual line of reasoning. Although there couldn't ever be an exhaustive text on this topic due to its nature, Green gets about as close as possible.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Green writes in a conversational style. His approach makes his arguments easy to understand and follow. They are all straightforward and simple. I especially appreciated the constant consideration of his bias. In each chapter, he references the ethics in the chapter’s case study and always leaves the reader to decide their own personal opinion. Overall, Green’s Space Ethics is an easy and smooth read that engages and presents compelling arguments for all the ethical problems space exploration raises. By the end of it, you'll second guess your previously held romanticization of NASA. Like the Age of Exploration on Earth, space’s exploration will end with drastic and irreversible consequences.

[Justin Eggert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The topic of ethics when dealing with space exploration is a relatively new field of study which allowed Green to put just about anything this topic could conjure up into a book. Because of this, the book can feel a little repetitive in some chapters but this is a pretty minor issue as the philosophical questioning is super engaging and thought prevoking. Green brings up historical cases, theoretical space journeys, hypothetical alien races and more in this throw it all at the wall style of book and I was here for it. The ideas brought up were enough to keep it fresh and overall I would definitely recommend this one to anyone interested in this field.

[Keelin Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great book for looking at the future of space and the potential ethical implications of space exploration and settlement. Too often discussions of space are focused on the technical challenges or geopolitical challenges, and forget the ethical components of space. As an advocate of space exploration and an aspiring space policy expert, I think this is a great book to help not only understand common political and technological challenges of space, but also the potential ethical choices and dilemmas we might face.