ExtraterrestrialsE. Regis With current interest in extraterrestrials at a peak, this book is a collection of original and reprinted articles advancing the latest scientific ideas as to the possible existence and nature of extraterrestrial intelligent life. Usually this subject is treated only in popular media, such as science fiction novels, movies, and television. Recently, however, scientists and researchers have begun to consider in earnest whether extraterrestrials really exist, whether they have evolved from simpler forms of life, whether they have evolved intelligence, and if so whether their modes of understanding the world are comparable to and congruent with our own. The contributors to this volume cover these topics, and also consider how we might communicate with aliens, and whether we would be able to understand the alien messages we might receive. Finally the authors, who include distinguished scientists, speculate whether the aliens might have a moral code, and what might be our moral obligations in the event any extraterrestrials were ever discovered. |
Contents
Existence and nature of extraterrestrial intelligence | 19 |
Nicholas Rescher | 77 |
Extraterrestrial epistemology | 79 |
Where are they? | 129 |
Detectability and decipherability | 163 |
Meaning and consequences of contact | 229 |
Common terms and phrases
able alien animals argue argument assume astronomical believe biological bits cause civilization colonization communication comparable complex consider construct course culture detect direction earth evidence evolution evolutionary evolved example exist expect exploration extraterrestrial intelligence fact frequency Galaxy given haystack human idea interest interstellar issue kind language least less limited Lincos look mathematical matter means million moral natural Neumann machine objects observing organisms origin ourselves perhaps philosophical physical planet population possible present Press principle probability probes problem produce question radio reason receiver reference respect result Sagan scientific seems selection sense SETI showing signals similar Society solar system sort space species stars strategy sufficiently suggested suppose sure theory things thought understand universe York