Cosmocentrism and the Active Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Astrobiology Science Conference 2010 (2010) 5597.pdf

Cosmocentrism and the Active Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. M. L. Lupisella, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20771. [email protected]

Introduction: The question of whether human be- Pragmatism: Pragmatism can be characterized as ings, individually or collectively, should proactively appealing to empiricism and secular humanism, result- send signals to putative extraterrestrial intelligence ing in a worldview that prioritizes practical relevance (often called “Active SETI”) is a more near-term prac- to human beings and effectively rejects that which is tical policy question than many may suppose. And like beyond the test of human experience. Two broad many policy questions, it ultimately touches on matters views that are consistent with (but not equal to) prag- of philosophy and ethics. Given the cosmic dimen- matism are anthropocentrism, which makes human sions of this question, including the assumption that we beings the priority in a worldview, and ratiocentrism, at least have the universe in common with ETI, this which broadens the prioritization to all rational beings issue lends itself to what might be called “cosmocen- [2]. On these views, value, morality, and ethical obli- tric” thinking, which generally makes the universe a gations lie primarily with human beings or more gen- priority in a worldview [1]. Cosmocentrism is a broad erally with any kind of non-supernatural rational agent notion that can have a wide variety of meanings and that may exist. Pragmatism, anthropocentrism and implications, with details ranging from empirically ratiocentrism do not rely on notions of value, meaning, scientific to spiritually divine. and purpose beyond those created by human beings or This paper explores a number a number of views other rational beings. within the context of a cosmic perspective and exam- Cosmocentrism: Cosmocentrism, at its core, ines their possible implications for thinking about the makes the universe a priority in a worldview, perhaps search for extraterrestrial intelligence, with an empha- along with other priorities. Teleological cosmocen- sis on Active SETI since that arguably poses the most trism suggests that the universe has intrinsic direction- pressing policy challenges. Because the question of ality or perhaps an ultimate “purpose”. Pantheism proactively transmitting signals to putative extraterres- goes further by ascribing a kind of spirit or divinity to trial intelligence is a practical policy question with the universe, essentially equating it with many notions potentially unusually significant implications, the rela- of God. tionship of cosmocentrism to “pragmatism” is particu- Cosmocultural Evolution: A view that may have larly relevant and is explored by examining a number particular relevance for SETI is what might be called of views such as anthropocentrism, ratiocentrism, cosmocultural evolution or cosmoculturalism which cosmocultural evolution, teleology, and pantheism— suggests that the cosmos and culture co-evolve (or will with a focus on “bootstrapped cosmocultural evolu- tightly co-evolve in the future), with culture playing an tion”, which has strong elements of both pragmatism important role in the overall evolution of the universe – and cosmocentrism. Figure 1 shows rough relcation- ranging from creating and manifesting value in an oth- ships of these views. erwise valueless universe to perhaps eventually exer- cising control over the universe itself [3]. Figure 1: A Spectrum of Philosophical Worldviews Bootstrapped cosmocultural evolution further suggests that culture is not necessarily inherent in the universe, but simply arose with the rise of successful replicators that eventually led to culture. On this view, the universe has in some sense “bootstrapped” itself into the realm of value via the emergence of replicators which drove the subsequent evolution of cultural beings who are now sources and arbiters of value, meaning, and purpose – including potentially for the whole of the universe. In this way, bootstrapped cosmocultural evolution is both pragmatic and cosmocentric in that it does not appeal to anything supernatural or in- trinsically teleological, and it places primacy on both rational cultural beings and the cosmos by emphasizing the philosophical significance and unlimited practical

potential that cultural beings can have for the evolution of the universe. Astrobiology Science Conference 2010 (2010) 5597.pdf

Application to SETI: Bootstrapped cosmocultural and that it does not necessarily “speak for Earth”. evolution makes rational cultural beings and the uni- Message attempts above a certain level on the San verse “co-priorities” and co-creators in a worldview. It Marino scale would presumably benefit from some puts rational cultural beings in a special role, and this degree of international consultation. The pragmatic has implications for how we might apply this view to aspect of bootstrapped cosmocultural evolution sug- practical ethical policy challenges. gests this kind of consultation is a positive pursuit. There are a few key questions: Should we transmit Cosmocentric views should also presumably be a before receiving a signal? Should we transmit after part of such consultation and communications, in part receiving a signal? What should be communicated? for the practical reason that we presumably can be con- What, if any, consultation should be pursued before fident the universe, including perhaps what may be our taking action on any of the above? ultimate shared cosmic origins, is something we have A bootstrapped cosmocultural evolutionary view in common with ETI [6]. implies a very high uncertainty regarding ETI because In general, and perhaps most importantly, the phi- cultural evolution and anything associated with it (such losophical and potential practical cosmic significance as altruism, stable social structures, cosmocentric of cultural evolution suggests that actively seeking out views, etc.) are not assumed to be inherent in the uni- and communing with other extraterrestrial beings is a verse or in intelligence. Bootstrapped cosmocultural noble and worthy pursuit. views are not assumed to be universal but are instead merely intellectual interpretations and philosophical References: choices made by reasoning cultural beings. These kinds of worldviews may vary dramatically across [1] Lupisella M. L. and Logsdon J. (1997) “Do We extraterrestrial civilizations – as they have throughout Need a Cosmocentric Ethic?” Paper IAA-97- human history. IAA.9.2.09, International Astronautical Congress. Bootstrapped cosmocultural evolution would also American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, ascribe a very high level of significance to contact with Turin, Italy. ETI, in part because of the potential cosmic relevance of interacting rational cultural beings enhancing cos- [2] Smith, K. C. (2009) “The Trouble With Intrin- mocultural evolution. sic Value: A Primer for Astrobiology.” In Exploring While the uncertainty is clearly high, so is the po- the Origin, Extent, and Future of Life: Philosophical, Ethical and Theological Perspectives, ed. Bertka, C. tential benefit. It may be reasonable to suppose that Cambridge University Press. most long-lived intelligent civilizations would exhibit

a significant level of sensitivity regarding other ra- [3] Lupisella M. L. “Cosmocultural Evolution: The tional beings – in part because that sensitivity is so Co-Evolution of Culture and Cosmos and the Creation important for social beings to co-exist and thrive. of Cosmic Value” in Dick S. J. and Lupisella M. L. However, biological evolution, and arguably much, if (eds.) Cosmos and Culture: Cultural Evolution in a not most cultural evolution, often selects for moral Cosmic Context, (2009) NASA SP-2009-4802. behavior to the extent that it satisfies precariously bal- anced cost-benefit outcomes – which can be complex, [4] Michaud, M. A. G. (2007) Contact with Alien uncertain, imprecise and unstable. The knife-edge of Civilizations: Our Hopes and Fears about Encounter- moral evolution suggests it doesn’t take much to end ing Extraterrestrials. Spinger, New York. up on the wrong side of the blade. Given the extremely high uncertainty and ex- [5] Almár, I and H. Shuch P. H., “Updating The tremely high significance of contact with ETI [4], and San Marino Scale”, Paper IAC06-A4.1.01, 57th Inter- given the more pragmatic and clearer obligations to national Astronautical Congress, Valencia, Spain, 2-6 rational beings, it seems reasonable to engage in some October 2006. degree of consultation before taking significant steps to contact ETI – where ‘significant’ can be partly as- [6] Vakoch, D. (2009) “Encoding Our Origins: sessed using the San Marino scale [5]. Communicating the Evolutionary Epic in Interstellar Pursuing some degree of collective understanding Messages” in Dick, S. J. and M. Lupisella (eds.), Cos- and readiness is a healthy approach. Perhaps for ef- mos and Culture: Cultural Evolution in a Cosmic Con- forts that fall below a certain level on the San Marino text. NASA SP-2009-4802. scale, there should be a “disclaimer guideline” to make sure the message origin and process is clearly communicated, specifically noting who the message is from