Abstract
The contributions to the volume are accessible and state-of-the-art overviews of several of the major “theoretical” and “practical” issues in space ethics. Ranging from matters of inherent value and theory construction, through to the risks associated with nuclear powered space probes. Multiple disciplines, from astrobiology and space law through to philosophy and aesthetics are drawn upon. The volume introduction address both the scope and history of the ethics of space exploration, and goes on to provide a summary of the individual contributions to the volume.
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Notes
- 1.
The editors have favored ‘inherent’ value, in line with a familiar distinction in analytic ethics between ‘inherent value’ (possessed by that which is of value in its own right) and ‘intrinsic value’ (possessed by that which is of value to a sentient being without consideration of any further advantage). However, given that these terms are often used synonymously, particularly when ethicists and scientists collide, this favoring of ‘inherent’ has not been enforced by editorial fiat throughout the volume. Contributors have been left to deploy their preferred terminology.
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Schwartz, J.S.J., Milligan, T. (2016). Introduction: The Scope and Content of Space Ethics. In: Schwartz, J., Milligan, T. (eds) The Ethics of Space Exploration. Space and Society. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39827-3_1
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