The Extraterrestrial Life Debate: A Historical Perspective
Michael J. Crowe
Do extraterrestrial intelligent beings exist? What is their nature? Were we to come into contact with them, what would this tell us about ourselves, about the universe, and about the existence of God? These and related questions have generated a debate involving not only astronomy, but also religion, philosophy, the social sciences, and imaginative works (literature, film, television, etc.). Not only do we now struggle with issues about extraterrestrials, but also these issues have been debated throughout history by both classical and modern authors. Among such authors are Aristotle, Lucretius, Cusa, Bruno, Kepler, Pascal, Newton, Huygens, Franklin, Kant, Swedenborg, Paine, the Herschels, Comte, Emerson, Tennyson, Whewell and Twain. Twentieth-century authors include Lowell, Drake, Sagan, C. S. Lewis and Gould. Such important recent developments as space flight and radio astronomy, as well as the discovery of extremophiles and of over a hundred other solar systems, have given new urgency to the issues. Although the ultimate questions regarding extraterrestrials remain unanswered, enough progress has been secured that persons enrolling in this seminar can expect to attain sound judgments in regard to many key issues in the ETI debate and also to enhance their understanding of how to deal responsibly with such complex and fascinating issues. Both believers and skeptics will be welcome.
Professor Crowe was delightful! It is always great to know Notre Dame is so respectful and grateful to an individual who has served them so faithfully and well.” —Linda Lucy, Darden Primary School
My expectations were exceeded. I learned so much. It was very informative and useful information. I will surely pass it on to students and refer to the materials again!”—Theadora Kella-Fuller, Jefferson I.C.
It was an enlightening experience to have such great discussion.” – Erin Richards, John Young Middle School
It was thought-provoking, more colloquial than I thought it would be and very useful for my curriculum.”—Jan Caudell, Grissom Middle School
 Michael J. Crowe is Cavanaugh Professor Emeritus in Notre Dame’s Program of Liberal Studies and Graduate Program in History and Philosophy of Science. A graduate of both the Program of Liberal Studies and the Notre Dame’s College of Science, he completed a doctorate in history of science at the University of Wisconsin. The recipient of numerous grants from the National Science Foundation, he is the author of seven books, mainly on the history of astronomy including The Extraterrestrial Life Debate: The Idea of a Plurality of Worlds from Kant to Lowell, which was published by Cambridge University Press and is also available in a three-volume translation into Japanese.He is currently completing a source book on the extraterrestrial life debate. |