Cosmo Anthropology and Pathway to Exploration

Paper number

IAC-16,E3,2,13,x33722

Coauthor

Mr. Koichi Kikuchi, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Ms. Riyo Yamanaka, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Takao Yamaguchi, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Year

2016

Abstract

In 2015, a book "Why humans go to space - meanings and values of space exploration from the viewpoint of Cosmo Anthropology - (provisional translation)” was published in Japan as the result of the study on philosophy, arts, laws, and other human aspects of space exploration by Humanities and Social Sciences WG of Kibo Utilization Promotion Committee of JAXA. It consists of the questions on humans or human society in space era and the studies on these questions. It suggests the viewpoint of Cosmo Anthropology to consider the meanings and values of space exploration and raises the questions: “Why do humans expand to space?” and “How will humans change when we expand to space and settle there?”
We can see a similar approach in a report “Pathway to Exploration: Rationales and Approaches for a U.S. Program of Human Space Exploration" which the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) Committee on Human Spaceflight released in 2014 as the result of study and review on the goals, core capabilities, and direction of human spaceflight requested by NASA according to the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. Among the conclusions and recommendations, the Committee asserts the enduring questions that motivate human spaceflight and are tied to the aspirational rationales like human survival, or shared destiny and aspiration to explore: “How far from Earth can humans go?” and “What can humans discover and achieve when we get there?”
In both of them, we can see the notion that only the national benefit approach can not explain the rationales of space exploration, and a philosophical or fundamental approach is needed for the next-generation space exploration. 
What is the role of philosophy in the next-generation space exploration? The rationales for the national space agencies to implement space exploration will be basically pragmatic or national benefits because their budgets are mainly from their governments. The next-generation space exploration, however, will be implemented through international cooperation, where “Why humans go to space” suggests the notion of “humankind” will emerge. Also, private companies will join the exploration with their own visions and rationales. In these circumstances, we will need new rationales for the international entities or the individuals to participate in the exploration. If philosophy raise questions and motivate science and technology, and the development of science and technology motivate philosophy, such relationship can be applied to the rationales of the space exploration.

Abstract document

IAC-16,E3,2,13,x33722.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

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