space exploration
For many years, humans have been curious about space. It is in our nature to want to know more about the stars and planets surrounding our Earth. Humans are wanting to know more about space and it has become a good industry for countries to invest in. In fact, NASA, on average, spend $15.818 billion per year - which is roughly 0.5% of America's budget. So, why is it justifiable that all this money is spent on space exploration?
India's space program was founded on the 15th August 1969. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who came to be known as the father of India's space program, was ordered by the 1st Indian Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to chair the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which later came to be known as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
NASA is one of the most well-known space organisation's in the world along with the European Space Agency.
Well, how does space exploration effect world issues?
One of the main arguments against space exploration is the economic aspect.
Space exploration can cost vast amounts of money. Some people wonder how poorer countries (who are in poverty), such as India, have their own space agencies. Actually, it is much cheaper to build equipment in India because as this video nicely explains, ALL of the materials India used in its 2013/14 mission to Mars, was sourced in India. Maybe the fact that it was quick and cheap made India the first country in the world to orbit Mars on it's maiden attempt:
NASA is one of the most well-known space organisation's in the world along with the European Space Agency.
Well, how does space exploration effect world issues?
One of the main arguments against space exploration is the economic aspect.
Space exploration can cost vast amounts of money. Some people wonder how poorer countries (who are in poverty), such as India, have their own space agencies. Actually, it is much cheaper to build equipment in India because as this video nicely explains, ALL of the materials India used in its 2013/14 mission to Mars, was sourced in India. Maybe the fact that it was quick and cheap made India the first country in the world to orbit Mars on it's maiden attempt:
As the video mentioned, NASA spent MUCH more money than India in this mission. This proves that India are able to have and keep their space station. But they are still spending A LOT of money on space exploration...
Space exploration has and continues to greatly advance mankind's scientific knowledge. Not only does it help us understand more about our universe, much of the research and discoveries tell us a lot about Earth. Furthermore the technology developed for space exploration has also been adapted for other scientific endeavours. Space exploration has especially helped medically:
Space exploration has and continues to greatly advance mankind's scientific knowledge. Not only does it help us understand more about our universe, much of the research and discoveries tell us a lot about Earth. Furthermore the technology developed for space exploration has also been adapted for other scientific endeavours. Space exploration has especially helped medically:
Laws and religions
So, what do other countries and religions think about space travel?
There is no country which is 'against' space travel but there are many which have not been directly involved:
There is no country which is 'against' space travel but there are many which have not been directly involved:
Map showing whose citizens have flown into space as of March 2011
As you can tell from the map, many countries, poor and wealthy, have not sent anyone into space. This is not because the country's law says it is illegal but simply because they either have not got enough money, or have chosen not to. Although, countries such as Australia have their own space organisations.
Jainism
According to Jainism, the universe is a form of time. They believe that there was no God who created it and they also believe that nothing in the universe is destroyed or created, it has just changed from one form into another. As well as this, Jain's believe that there are two classes of thing: jivas - living souls, and ajivas - non-living objects, which include everything else, including space.The universe has a cycle:
Jainism
According to Jainism, the universe is a form of time. They believe that there was no God who created it and they also believe that nothing in the universe is destroyed or created, it has just changed from one form into another. As well as this, Jain's believe that there are two classes of thing: jivas - living souls, and ajivas - non-living objects, which include everything else, including space.The universe has a cycle:
As you can see from this, we are living in the Suṣama-duḥṣamā Ara.
Jainism does not reject space travel and also doesn't express any strong feeling about it.
Jainism does not reject space travel and also doesn't express any strong feeling about it.
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a form of Protestantism. They stress the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, personal conversion experiences, Scripture as the sole basis for faith, and active evangelism (the winning of personal commitments to Christ). Evangelical Protestants are much surer Jesus will return in the next 40 years than that humans will make significant strides in space exploration, according to research by University of Dayton political science assistant professor Joshua Ambrosius. "Evangelicals have been hesitant to recognize the discoveries of modern science — from evolutionary origins to climate change," Ambrosius said. "The data show that this overall attitude extends into space." He also found that while regular church attendance, along with other measures of traditional religious belief like a high view of the authority of the Bible and belief in creationism, exert a negative effect on support for space exploration, clergy support for science exerts a significant positive effect. Evangelicals in particular were twice as likely to recognize the benefits of space exploration if their pastors speak positively about science. |
Ethical views
Utilitarianism
A Utilitarian would see space exploration as a good thing. Utilitarianism focuses on the ends of the action. The action is morally 'right'/'good' if it produces the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people. Space exploration would be seen as a good thing by a Utilitarian because it results in humans knowing more about space, medical devices being developed and all countries having something which connects them - every countries knowledge about space. Even if it results in one man dying in a rocket, it would still benefit the greater number of people.
A Utilitarian would see space exploration as a good thing. Utilitarianism focuses on the ends of the action. The action is morally 'right'/'good' if it produces the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people. Space exploration would be seen as a good thing by a Utilitarian because it results in humans knowing more about space, medical devices being developed and all countries having something which connects them - every countries knowledge about space. Even if it results in one man dying in a rocket, it would still benefit the greater number of people.
- Most laws are based on the theory of Utilitarianism.
- Developed by the 18th century philosophers J S Mill and Jeremy Bentham
Kant's Categorical Imperative
Kant's Categorical Imperative would see space exploration as a bad thing. Kant's Categorical Imperative focusses on the actual action (means) and whether it is morally 'right'/'good'. It also involves considering whether you would be willing to turn the action into a universal rule. Space exploration would be seen as a bad thing because it involves spending vast sums of money on the equipment; money which could be helped to solve world issues.
Situation Ethics
Situation Ethics would say that it depends on whether the motives of the people (who founded space exploration) were 'good' or 'bad' and also the situation. Therefore, Situation Ethics would say that in this current time and situation, yes, the intentions and motives of the founders were good but it would be better to give the money spent to people who really need it - showing agapé, selfless love.
Natural Law
The Natural Law theory of ethics says that something is good if it is natural. "Goodness" is fulfilling a natural purpose, and "badness" is going against a natural purpose.
It is arguable about what Natural Law would say about space exploration:
On the one hand it is natural for human's to be curious, especially what is surrounding our home plant. It is natural to want to know and find out what is out there. There could be another life form! It is also the purpose for a probe/ rocket/ astronaut to travel to space.
On the other hand it is not natural to want to send people and robots into space when we do not even know much about our own planet. Also, it is not natural to want to know about other planets when we know people are dying because they don't have enough food and drink on our planet.
Kant's Categorical Imperative would see space exploration as a bad thing. Kant's Categorical Imperative focusses on the actual action (means) and whether it is morally 'right'/'good'. It also involves considering whether you would be willing to turn the action into a universal rule. Space exploration would be seen as a bad thing because it involves spending vast sums of money on the equipment; money which could be helped to solve world issues.
Situation Ethics
Situation Ethics would say that it depends on whether the motives of the people (who founded space exploration) were 'good' or 'bad' and also the situation. Therefore, Situation Ethics would say that in this current time and situation, yes, the intentions and motives of the founders were good but it would be better to give the money spent to people who really need it - showing agapé, selfless love.
Natural Law
The Natural Law theory of ethics says that something is good if it is natural. "Goodness" is fulfilling a natural purpose, and "badness" is going against a natural purpose.
It is arguable about what Natural Law would say about space exploration:
On the one hand it is natural for human's to be curious, especially what is surrounding our home plant. It is natural to want to know and find out what is out there. There could be another life form! It is also the purpose for a probe/ rocket/ astronaut to travel to space.
On the other hand it is not natural to want to send people and robots into space when we do not even know much about our own planet. Also, it is not natural to want to know about other planets when we know people are dying because they don't have enough food and drink on our planet.