Lonely Minds in the Universe

The philosophical and religious implications of extraterrestrial intelligence are combined with an exploration of the scientific and technical implications. The book compares recent theories (e.g. 'rare earth') and takes a firm stance against pseudo-science.

The possibility that humans are not alone in the Universe is one of the most intriguing unanswered questions for mankind. Distant Encounters provides a discussion of the scientific and technical implications, including possible faster-than-light space travel and radio communication, as well as the philosophical and religious ones of extraterrestrial intelligent life. It gives a summary of the chemical and biological evolution of the Universe to demonstrate, as a counterbalance to the 'rare earth' theory, why intelligent life might exist somewhere else in the Universe, apart from on Earth.

Discusses the possibility that other intelligent beings exist in the Universe whom we can contact through either radio communications or space travel Looks at mankind's perspective of its place in the Universe In addition to the scientific and technical implications, looks at the philosophical and religious implications of extraterrestrial intelligence Looks at the possibility of extraterrestrial life from our understanding of the universe, summarising cosmic, chemical and biological evolution Discusses the possibility that astronautics using faster-than-light space travel might accelerate future contact of humankind with ETI Makes a firm stance against pseudo-scientific statements, stressing that an exceptional discovery requires exceptional evidence Discusses and compares recent theories like 'rare earth', suggesting caution

Contenu
The Historical and Philosophical Perspectives.- The Religious Perspective.- The Astrobiological Perspective.- The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.- Interlude: The Search for Extraterrestrial Stupidity.- The Possibility of Contact.