Cambridge Scholars Publishing Astrobiology and Humanism: Conversations on Science, Philosophy and Theology

This book reviews the horizons and frontiers of humanism as they interact with the science of life in the universe, now generally known as “astrobiology”. As one of the most important conversations of our time, the existence of life itself raises deep questions that are meaningful to both astrobiology and humanism. The text discusses current disagreements in this intercultural dialogue, which are shown to be solely due to the widespread delusion that the horizons and frontiers of science can be ignored. Review “In a clear and orderly manner, in this book are presented important aspects that are topics of interest in astrobiology, such as the possibility of a second genesis, the theological implications of astrobiological studies, and the relevance of studying Europa, the moon of Jupiter. [I]n the text, we are also guided in a humane manner [as to] how astrobiology has emerged and is being gradually constructed. The human aspect of its narrative is evident. Besides, the book contains numerous references that give its readers the opportunity to continue going deeper into this topic. This book is a work that anyone who is interested in astrobiology should own, and which any professional who is interested in finding support for links between science, philosophy and astrobiology should also own.”Dr Octavio Alfonso Chon-TorresUniversidad de Lima, Peru; President and Founder of the Peruvian Association of Astrobiology"This work serves as an excellent first-hand history of the origins and development of astrobiology, as it engages most, if not all, of the principal scientists involved. It is an excellent source of bibliographical material for anyone who wishes to research this history in more detail."George V. Coyne"In addition to his wide ranging philosophical and theological speculations, Chela-Flores gives us excellent thumbnail sketches of some of the important mentors who influenced his development including: George Coyne, Christian de Duve, Frank Drake, Sidney Fox, Carlo Martini, Stanley Miller, John Oro, Cyril Ponnamperuma, and Abdus Salam. The book is richly illustrated throughout the text and an appendix with photos of these scholars, as well as various attendees at the conferences. Astrobiology is a unique multidisciplinary science with only one biology in the Universe that we know of so far. However, this new science has only been around since the start of the new millennium, with the modern discovery of a plethora of planets orbiting most stars in Universe. As Julian Chela-Flores says near the end of the book, the readers should not be disappointed with the difficulty in getting final answers to the question whether we are alone in the universe. They should wait for the technical developments of the foreseeable future. With this sentiment I heartily agree. We have really only just begun what could turn out to be a long modern search for extraterrestrial life. Patience is well advised."Peter R. BahnBahn Biotechnology Company“We can divide scientists into two camps, believers and non-believers. Believers in what? In the religious claims of the three Abrahamic traditions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This is the way Julian Chela-Flores, Venezuelan physicist and astrobiologist, cuts the pie. The book, Astrobiology and Humanism, cites a number of well-respected scientists who have been believers such as Muslim Abdus Salam and Roman Catholic Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini. For such scientists to integrate their naturalistic grasp of the world with their respective beliefs in God, they must reject natural theology – the attempt to demonstrate God’s action via the methods of science – in favour of a theology of nature, which derives belief in God from revelation and tradition. ‘Theology of nature’, he contends, begins by ‘accepting science’ and then ‘attempts to come to a more fundamental understanding. It relies on the unifying explanatory power of science’ (30-31). […] Much of the book, As