Professor Highlights Potential "European Christian Imperialism" in Space
The Dean of Social Sciences at Wesleyan University, Mary-Jane Rubenstein, has raised concerns about the potential for "European Christian imperialism" in outer space. Rubenstein, who is also a philosopher of science and religion and is affiliated with the school's Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, has noted similarities between factors that drove European Christian imperialism and those being utilized in high-speed, high-tech forms.
Concerns about Colonial Practices in Space
Rubenstein has questioned whether "colonial practices" such as the exploitation of environmental resources and the destruction of landscapes, all in the name of ideals like destiny, civilization, and the salvation of humanity, could be replicated in humanity's expansion into space.
Arguments for Exploiting Space Resources
Despite Rubenstein's concerns, others argue that there is no life in our solar system to worry about, so exploiting resources from Mars, Mercury, the asteroid belt, and other celestial bodies could help save Earth. Mars Society President Robert Zubrin, for instance, has argued against a manifesto from a NASA diversity, equity, and inclusion group, which stated that we must prevent capitalist extraction on other worlds.
Indigenous Beliefs about Space
Rubenstein has also highlighted various Indigenous beliefs that contrast with the industry's view that space is empty and inanimate. These beliefs include Australian natives who believe their ancestors guide human life from their home in the galaxy, Inuit who claim their ancestors live on celestial bodies, and Navajo who consider Earth's moon sacred. Rubenstein argues that space should be treated with care and respect, regardless of whether one agrees with these Indigenous beliefs.
Should Celestial Bodies Have Rights?
In his review of Rubenstein's book "Astrotopia: The Dangerous Religion of the Corporate Space Race," Sigal Samuel of Vox.com noted that some people believe celestial bodies should have fundamental rights of their own. This raises the question of whether human exploration of space should prioritize Indigenous beliefs over those of European Christians.
Bottom Line
This discussion raises thought-provoking questions about the ethics of space exploration and resource extraction. Should we forego extracting precious minerals from asteroids, comets, and neighboring planets because they might have some sort of "pantheistic mystical" rights? This is something to ponder as we continue to explore the final frontier. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and continue the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered every day at 6pm.
