Extraterrestrials: A Philosophical Perspective

by André Kukla

Overview

The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, or SETI, has attracted both praise and sharp criticism from the mainstream scientific community over the years. Extraterrestrials: A Philosophical Perspective explores the important philosophical issues that are at play in this discussion. André Kukla closely examines several of the prominent ideas surrounding the possibility of extraterrestrial life such as the vastness of the universe argument, the argument from mediocrity and the one world, one science argument while offering innovative theories of his own. Among other things, Kukla show uses Chomsky's account of language acquisition to explain why humans will never be able to communicate with extraterrestrials. Extraterrestrials offers a close and thorough treatment of extraterrestrial life that will intrigue a wide audience, especially those who are interested in the philosophy of science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739142455
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	10/28/2009
Pages:	120
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

André Kukla is professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Toronto.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. On the Prospect of an Extraterrestrial Encounter
Chapter 2. On the Pursuitworthiness of Extraterrestrial Studies
Chapter 3. SETI versus CETI
Chapter 4. The One World, One Science Argument
Chapter 5. Innateness, Linguistic Universals, and Extraterrestrial Communication

Editorial Reviews

Virtually since the birth of theorizing, theorists have been enthralled by the prospect of intelligent extraterrestrial life. And in our own day a good deal of toil and treasure is being devoted to explore the possibilities. The nature of this enterprise raises many fascinating and complex question across the whole spectrum of human knowledge about life, intelligence, and language. Kukla's book provides a penetrating and instructive conspectus of the substantial array of important issue at stake.--Nicholas Rescher

In this short and highly technical monograph, retired psychology professor Andre Kukla examines the possibility of communicating with extraterrestrials.--John Rimmer's Magonia Blog, 13 January 2010

From the Publisher

Virtually since the birth of theorizing, theorists have been enthralled by the prospect of intelligent extraterrestrial life. And in our own day a good deal of toil and treasure is being devoted to explore the possibilities. The nature of this enterprise raises many fascinating and complex question across the whole spectrum of human knowledge about life, intelligence, and language. Kukla’s book provides a penetrating and instructive conspectus of the substantial array of important issue at stake.

Nicholas Rescher

In this short and highly technical monograph, retired psychology professor Andre Kukla examines the possibility of communicating with extraterrestrials.

13 January 2010 John Rimmer's Magonia Blog

In this short and highly technical monograph, retired psychology professor Andre Kukla examines the possibility of communicating with extraterrestrials.

John Rimmer's Magonia Blog