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Moral challenges of going to Mars under the presence of non-intelligent life scenario

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2019

Octavio A. Chon-Torres Open the ORCID record for Octavio A. Chon-Torres [Opens in a new window]
Octavio A. Chon-Torres*
Affiliation:
Programa de Estudios Generales, Universidad de Lima, Lima, Peru
*
Author for correspondence: Octavio A. Chon-Torres, E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Much is discussed what would be the ideal position in terms of our ethical treatment with respect to other forms of life, particularly those that can be discovered in other worlds, in addition to our role in terms of the expansion of terrestrial life in the universe. This represents a great philosophical challenge, but what if we should make a moral decision in the face of the inevitable situation of being forced to colonize, for example, Mars? Is there a position in which we can feel safe to act legitimately? This paper tries to force us into a mental and conceptual exercise about what can really be worth beyond the concept or the positions we may have and analyse them in light of the practicality that decision making requires in this problem.

Keywords

Astrobiological ethicslifemental experiment
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , February 2020 , pp. 49 - 52
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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