My view
Personally I believe that space exploration is advantageous to some extent. There are long-term benefits from space research that can find a solution of many of our man-made problems. Population growth and increased scarcity of resources is a strain on planet Earth and it's people. Poverty, homelessness, changing climates (such as flooding/drought) and lack access to medical care and dietary needs have all increased and there are no signs to suggest that this will change in the near future.
Space research can therefore be the solution.
In the immediate future, funding to assist the poor, the needy and the destitute is desperately needed. People are suffering and many are dying from not having the basic facilities. Many would say that it is morally wrong to be spending so much on what is 'out there' rather than taking care of our own planet.
Some would argue that space exploration would benefit a greater number of people (utilitarian), not just those that are poor. It has far reaching implications that can lift the level of human understanding from something such as 'how did life begin' to 'how can we improve human life.' Perhaps the research will help humans find a way of living forever ? But that is another ethical dilemma !
Space research can therefore be the solution.
In the immediate future, funding to assist the poor, the needy and the destitute is desperately needed. People are suffering and many are dying from not having the basic facilities. Many would say that it is morally wrong to be spending so much on what is 'out there' rather than taking care of our own planet.
Some would argue that space exploration would benefit a greater number of people (utilitarian), not just those that are poor. It has far reaching implications that can lift the level of human understanding from something such as 'how did life begin' to 'how can we improve human life.' Perhaps the research will help humans find a way of living forever ? But that is another ethical dilemma !