The astrobiological landscape : philosophical foundations of the study of cosmic life / Milan M. Ćirković.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ćirković, Milan M., author.

Series:

Cambridge astrobiology ; 7.

Cambridge astrobiology ; 7

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Exobiology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 266 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Astrobiology is an expanding, interdisciplinary field investigating the origin, evolution and future of life in the universe. Tackling many of the foundational debates of the subject, from discussions of cosmological evolution to detailed reviews of common concepts such as the 'Rare Earth' hypothesis, this volume is the first systematic survey of the philosophical aspects and conundrums in the study of cosmic life. The author's exploration of the increasing number of cross-over problems highlights the relationship between astrobiology and cosmology and presents some of the challenges of multidisciplinary study. Modern physical theories dealing with the multiverse add a further dimension to the debate. With a selection of beautifully presented illustrations and a strong emphasis on constructing a unified methodology across disciplines, this book will appeal to graduate students and specialists who seek to rectify the fragmented nature of current astrobiological endeavour, as well as curious astrophysicists, biologists and SETI enthusiasts.

Contents:

Cover; THE ASTROBIOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE; Title; Copyright; Contents; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1: Astrobiology: 'The Colour Out of Space?'; The Canonical Three; Prides and prejudices; Copernicanism and the promise of synthesis; 2: Cosmology, life and duration of the past; Wallace's valiant attempt; Six eras and the (New) standard cosmology; Infinite past(s) and the Davies-Tipler argument; Time and chance: historical parallel of cosmology and astrobiology; 3: Cosmology, life and selection effects; Non-controversial observation selection: extrasolar planets

Non-controversial observation selection: two examplesSomewhat controversial observation selection: fine-tuning arguments; Controversial observation selection: Olum's problem; The 'real thing': the astrobiological landscape; 4: Cosmology, life and the Archipelago; Multiverse: a universal solvent; The Archipelago of Habitability; A joint venture of fundamental physics and astrobiology; On two views of anthropic reasoning: a dialogue; 5: Astrobiology as a natural extension of Darwinism; Galactic Darwinism?; Replaying the replay; Is convergence useful?; Testing convergence

A promising partnership6: Rare Earths and the continuity thesis; Rare Earth - a key piece of the landscape?; Unphysical ceteris paribus; Further arguments against REH; The continuity thesis: 'neither chance nor design'; Haldanes ladder and noogenesis; 7: SETI and its discontents; The 'Big Three': classic anti-SETI arguments; The argument from biological contingency; Carter's argument; Beyond epistemology: the context of the campaign; Insufficiency of philosophical criticism; Towards a coherent philosophy of noogenesis and SETI; 8: Natural and artificial: the cosmic Domain of Arnheim

Unconscious intelligence?'...It was only by analogy that they called it colour at all'; The strangeness of astroengineering; 9: Astrobiology as the neo-Copernican synthesis?; Notes; Introduction; 1 Astrobiology: 'The Colour Out of Space?'; 2 Cosmology, life and duration of the past; 3 Cosmology, life and selection effects; 4 Cosmology, life and the Archipelago; 5 Astrobiology as a natural extension of Darwinism; 6 Rare Earths and the continuity thesis; 7 SETI and its discontents; 8 Natural and artificial: the cosmic Domain of Arnheim; 9 Astrobiology as the neo-Copernican synthesis?

ReferencesIndex

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-107-22364-4

1-139-50778-8

1-280-77385-5

9786613684622

1-139-51732-5

1-139-51475-X

0-511-66740-X

1-139-51382-6

1-139-51640-X

1-139-51825-9

OCLC:

796383831