Optimism in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life? A Philosophical Perspective

Cowie, Christopher

Abstract

The large number of planets in our galaxy is often appealed to as the basis for optimism that life exists beyond earth in sufficiently large quantities that we might reasonably hope to detect or otherwise encounter it. In an article published over thirty years ago Roy Mash argued against this inference on broadly philosophical grounds. It is argued that despite scientific advances in recent decades the spirit of Mash’s case stands and optimism remains under-supported.

Citation

Cowie, C. (online). Optimism in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life? A Philosophical Perspective. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Mar 21, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 3, 2025
• Journal: Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society
• Print ISSN: 0066-7374
• Electronic ISSN: 1467-9264
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3721206