JSP Fall 2012
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Journal of Space Philosophy 1, no. 1 (Fall 2012) Dedicated to the belief that Space holds solutions for the betterment of humankind. And to the memory of Astronaut Neil Armstrong, Humankind’s first Lunar visitor. 2 Journal of Space Philosophy 1, no. 1 (Fall 2012) Preface Philosophy – the search for knowledge, truth, understanding, and meaning – has occupied thought since Plato’s Thirty-Six Dialogues (424-348 BC). Every person who has gazed at the heavens has wondered what it means for themselves and for humankind. Philosophy is the oldest research subject. Every science has defined its philosophical foundations. Humans have only philosophized while personally experiencing Space since the middle of the 20th Century. Kepler Space Institute takes pride in creating its online periodical Journal of Space Philosophy. A qualified Board of Editors meets the criteria for a professional peer reviewed journal. Article submissions, to [email protected], will be accepted for publication consideration from anyone on Earth or in Space. Readers will note that Kepler Space Institute creates for the first issue of the Journal its own prescription for Space Philosophy (Article #8). Evaluation and/or expansion of that philosophy is invited. With the Journal of Space Philosophy Kepler Space Institute has created a professional online Blog-interactive journal for a major academic and science discipline. Over time, this Journal will be an increasingly valuable research source for educators, students, NASA Centers, libraries, Space organizations, and Space enthusiasts. Views contained in articles will be those of the authors; not necessarily reflecting policy of Kepler Space Institute. Reproduction and downloading of Journal content for educational purposes is permitted, but authors will hold copyrights of their material and professional accreditation is required. Bob Krone, PhD, Editor-in-Chief Gordon Arthur, PhD, Associate Editor 3 Journal of Space Philosophy 1, no. 1 (Fall 2012) Journal of Space Philosophy Contents Volume 1, Number 1, Fall 2012 Page 1. Journal Cover ......................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Dedication ............................................................................................................................................... 2 3. “Preface” – Bob Krone & Gordon Arthur................................................................................................. 3 4. Contents ................................................................................................................................................. 4 5. “Journal Press Release” – Walt Putnam ................................................................................................ 5 6. “About Kepler Space Institute and University” – Robert L. Frantz ......................................................... 6 FEATURE ARTICLE: 7. “Nature’s Cosmic Intelligence” – Joel Isaacson ..................................................................................... 8 8. “Philosophy for Space: Learning from the Past – Visions for the Future” – Bob Krone ....................... 17 9. “Deep Space: The Philosophy of the Overview Effect” – Frank White ................................................. 27 10. “Space Renaissance” – Walt Putnam ................................................................................................... 34 11. “Space: Humans and the Art of Staying Human” – Lawrence Downing .............................................. 39 12. “The Astrosociological Imagination: An Anthology” – Stephanie Lynne Thorburn ............................... 43 13. “The Philosophical Aesthetics of Space Culture and Arts” – Lowry Burgess ....................................... 50 14. “Space Philosophy: Conflict, Migration, Adaptation, Evolution, and Circumventing Armageddon” – George Robinson .................................................................................................................................. 58 15. “Facing the 21st Century’s Civilization Challenges by the Tools of Astronautic Humanism” – Adriano Autino .................................................................................................................................................... 63 16. “A Stellar Revolution” – Kim Peart ........................................................................................................ 66 17. “The Philosophy of Kids for Space” – Lonnie Jones Schorer and Janet Ivey ...................................... 70 18. “Planet Moon Philosophy” – David Schrunk ......................................................................................... 74 19. “Ultimate Priorities for Space and Space Science” – Paul Werbos ...................................................... 86 20. “Fusing the Sun, the Sword, and the Academy for Human Independence from Gravity, the Bank, and the State” – Martin Schwab .................................................................................................................. 97 21. “Human Migration into Space is a Biological Imperative” – Sherry Bell and M. V. “Coyote” Smith ... 103 22. “Humanity’s Destiny is Offworld” – Philip Robert Harris ..................................................................... 111 23. “Chinese Space Achievements and Philosophy: Known and Inferred” – Terry Tang ........................ 122 24. “The Silence of Renewable Energy” – Daniel Fuentes ...................................................................... 131 25. “Research Questions and Hypotheses” – Bob Krone ........................................................................ 133 26. “Board of Editors, Journal of Space Philosophy” ................................................................................ 141 4 Journal of Space Philosophy 1, no. 1 (Fall 2012) Press Release – 7 October 2012 Journal of Space Philosophy to debut October 15 By Walt Putnam, KSI Dean of Communications The Journal of Space Philosophy, which will explore the spirituality and ethics, the cultural imperatives and moral values of the human quest for the stars, will make its debut October 15. The online publication was developed by Dr. Bob Krone, provost of Kepler Space Institute, who said the Journal is a natural fit for anyone interested in extraterrestrial exploration and development. “Every person who has gazed at the heavens has wondered what it means for themselves and for humankind,” Dr. Krone said. He added that “Philosophy is the oldest research subject,” going back to the ancient Greeks in the Western world, yet “Humans have only philosophized while personally experiencing space since the middle of the 20th Century.” Dr. Krone has assembled a distinguished Board of Editors to guide the publication – including The Overview Effect author Frank White, Dr. Paul Werbos of the National Science Foundation, science author Howard Bloom, and Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin. The first issue will feature “Nature’s Cosmic Intelligence” by Dr. Joel Isaacson, professor emeritus of computer science at Southern Illinois University and another member of The Journal of Space Philosophy editorial board. Dr. Krone, author of the Journal’s second installment, “Philosophy for Space: Lessons from the Past –Visions for the Future,” will make the case that human explorers beyond Earth must avoid the sort of mistakes made as Western civilization advanced in conquest mode during the Age of Discovery that began more than 500 years ago with Columbus’s journey to the New World. Article submissions, to [email protected], will be accepted for consideration from “anyone on Earth or in Space,” Dr. Krone said. He said reproduction and downloading of Journal content for educational purposes will be permitted, but authors will hold copyrights for their material, and professional accreditation is required. With the Journal of Space Philosophy, Kepler Space Institute has created a professional online blog-interactive journal for a major academic and science discipline – Space. 5 Journal of Space Philosophy 1, no. 1 (Fall 2012) About Kepler Space Institute and University By Robert L. Frantz, President, Kepler Space Institute The vision for a United States Space University has been held by thousands of Space professionals and educators for decades. Our Founding President and inspirational leader, Dr. Richard Kirby, unfortunately died on 24 September 2009. I was elected President. By 2010 it was clear to the KSU leadership that becoming qualified and registered as a new university in America is a complex task. The Board of Directors decided to register the Kepler Space Institute (KSI) in South Carolina. The Institute, as a 501(c) (3), permitted education, programs and events that would be building blocks for achieving University status. Kepler Space Institute and University is committed to direct its efforts, resources, qualifications and talents to endeavors that benefit humanity now and in the future. Our KSI leadership formulated the Law of Space Abundance in 2009, defined as “Space offers abundant resources for humanity’s needs.” It was a logical law, flowing from research and discoveries over centuries. We seek to guide people, groups, businesses, agencies, and international organizations to achieve new goals and visions facilitated by the material and spiritual resources that await us in Space. Our Kepler Team, which collectively has spent one thousand work years within the Space Community, is proud to be launching the