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Space, Time, and Aliens pp 631–653Cite as

The Philosophy of Astronomy, Cosmology, and Astrobiology: A Preliminary Reconnaissance

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Abstract

Although the philosophy of science and of specific sciences such as physics, chemistry, and biology are well-developed fields with their own books and journals, the philosophy of astronomy and cosmology have received little systematic attention. It is time for coherent action in creating this new discipline. At least six categories of issues may be identified in the astronomical context: (1) the nature of reasoning, including the roles of observation, theory, simulation, and analogy, as well as the limits of reasoning, starkly evident in the anthropic principle, fine-tuning, and multiverse controversies; (2) the problematic nature of evidence and inference, especially since the objects of astronomical interest are for the most part beyond experiment and experience; (3) the influence of metaphysical preconceptions and non-scientific worldviews on astronomy, evidenced, for example in the work of Arthur S. Eddington and many other astronomers; (4) the epistemological status of astronomy and its central concepts, including the process of discovery, the problems of classification, and the pitfalls of definition (as in planets); (5) the role of technology in shaping the discipline of astronomy and our view of the universe; and (6) the mutual interactions of astronomy and cosmology with society over time. In addition to astronomy and cosmology in general, astrobiology is highlighted as a specific case study of the issues at hand.

Discussion of these issues should draw heavily on the history of astronomy as well as current scientific research, and may reveal an evolution in approaches, techniques, and goals, perhaps with policy relevance. This endeavor should also utilize and synergize approaches and results from philosophy of science and of related sciences such as physics, including discussions on the nature of space and time. A coherent discipline of philosophy of astronomy and cosmology is desirable for the same reason that the philosophy of the biological and other physical sciences not only exist but flourish: to better understand the foundations, assumptions, and goals of the science. This chapter is therefore a call for philosophers, historians, scientists, and science studies scholars to join in this new endeavor.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See http://astrobiology.illinois.edu/ for the Institute for Universal Biology.

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    Steven J. Dick

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Dick, S.J. (2020). The Philosophy of Astronomy, Cosmology, and Astrobiology: A Preliminary Reconnaissance. In: Space, Time, and Aliens. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41614-0_37

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