Description
Book SynopsisGalileo and Kepler dreamed of the possibility of space exploration, although its reality was later underappreciated and even challenged by social, ideological, and scientific critics as a diversion from our problems on Earth. The Dimming of Starlight tells the fascinating stories of how space exploration places us in unusual situations that force us to come up with new ideas about nature. This strong connection between scientific exploration and scientific change makes us aware of a new panorama of problems, dangers, and opportunities that leads to new solutions and technologies that would have been unimaginable under old perspectives. Thus, the exploration of Venus led to the discovery of the destruction of Earth''s Ozone layer. This discovery will save hundreds of millions of lives in the coming centuries. As we explore space, we learn to protect our planet from catastrophe, and all the while we change drastically our ideas about the nature of the universe. With its account of serend
Trade ReviewA handful of philosophers can write effectively for a broad audience. The same holds true for scientists. Gonzalo Munévar can do both, showing an audience that has little prior knowledge of either philosophy or space exploration why both fields are important, and how these seemingly disparate enterprises can work together to help us decide how aggressively to pursue some of the greatest mysteries we face today." - Douglas Vakoch, President, METI International
There is no doubt that in the third decade of the 21st century, the idea of advanced and long-term space exploration, especially human missions, requires a wise and comprehensive justification. Such wise and comprehensive justification is an extremely difficult art. Repeating general cliches today is no longer enough. This art of philosophical, in-depth justification for space exploration has been perfectly succeeded by Gonzalo Munévar." - Konrad Szocik, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow
