Astronomer and former NASA Chief Historian, Steven Dick, discusses the history of extraterrestrial life and cosmo-theology. Topics include the evolution of the extraterrestrial life debate, sending messages to extraterrestrial intelligence, the search for extraterrestrial life from philosophical and theological perspectives, and exploring cosmotheology and the supernatural.
We need a cosmotheology that takes into account cosmic evolution and our place in the new universe.
The discovery of exoplanets is a significant development in the search for extraterrestrial life in the universe.
Deep dives
Introduction and Background of Dr. Steven Dick
Dr. Steven Dick, an American astronomer and historian of science, discusses his involvement in the field of astrobiology and his childhood fascination with the stars. He shares how he pursued astrophysics in college and later delved into the history and philosophy of science. Despite initial resistance, he conducted a dissertation on the history of the extraterrestrial life debate, focusing on the tradition of "perelity of worlds" dating back to Aristotle. His research in this area led him to develop his own theology, cosmophiology, based on scientific knowledge.
The Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Dr. Steven Dick explores the evidence for extraterrestrial life and the ongoing research in astrobiology. While there is no definite proof of extraterrestrial life or their visitation on Earth, he highlights the importance of continued study and the need to remain open-minded. He acknowledges that a majority of UFO sightings can be explained, but urges further investigation into the remaining unexplained cases. Moreover, he discusses the Copernican and Dorwillian assumptions that suggest the existence of life beyond Earth, emphasizing the discovery of exoplanets as a significant development in the search for life in the universe.
Cosmophiology: A Naturalistic Approach
Dr. Steven Dick presents cosmophiology as a naturalistic philosophy and theology, rooted in scientific knowledge. He explains that it does not require the notion of the supernatural and argues against supernaturalism. The focus of cosmophiology is on the improvement of intelligence and the understanding that life, including potential extraterrestrial life, may be post-biological and even artificial intelligence. He delves into the philosophical implications of this perspective and how it challenges traditional religions' geocentric worldview. Dr. Dick also shares his thoughts on communication with extraterrestrial beings and raises questions about the nature of consciousness and intelligence.
Ilia Delio and Robert Nicastro interview astronomer and historian of science, Steven J. Dick.
Themes:
Plurality of worlds
Cosmo-theology and Astrobiology
Exploration of the History of Extraterrestrial life
Steven J. Dick served as the NASA Chief Historian and Director of the NASA History Office from 2003 to 2009. Prior to that he was an astronomer and historian of science at the U.S. Naval Observatory for more than two decades. He is the author or editor of 25 books, including most recently Astrobiology, Discovery, and Societal Impact (Cambridge, 2018), Classifying the Cosmos: How We Can Make Sense of the Celestial Landscape (Springer, 2019), and Space, Time, and Aliens: Collected Works on Cosmos and Culture (Springer, 2020).
“The basic principles of religion and theology need to be reconsidered in terms of what we now know about our wondrous universe, full of millions of planets and perhaps life. In short we need a cosmotheology that takes into account cosmic evolution and our place in the new universe.”
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