Published on November 3, 2025–Updated on November 3, 2025
Space – the final frontier. But should we really go where no one has gone before?
This introductory course in Space Ethics takes you on a journey through the complex moral dilemmas of humanity’s expansion into space. We will engage with questions that sound like science fiction but are becoming increasingly real: Is it right to colonize Mars or mine asteroids – and who gets to decide? Should we modify humans (or deploy AI robots) to withstand the dangers of deep space? What happens if the race for supremacy turns space into a new battlefield? And if we discover alien life – do we extend a friendly hand, or is it wiser to remain silent?
Space is also gaining rapid political and technological significance: in Germany, it has now been anchored in the title of the new Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space – a clear signal that space is regarded as a key technology for innovation, security, and competitiveness.
This two-day intensive course offers an accessible introduction to philosophical ethics – from Kant’s duty-based principles to utilitarian cost-benefit analysis – and applies these concepts to pressing challenges in space exploration. We will discuss controversies such as the militarization of space in times of global rivalry, the ethical question of whether we should attempt to contact extraterrestrials, and the responsibility to protect both Earth’s orbital environment and other planets.
No prior knowledge is required; students of all disciplines are invited to bring their perspectives into the discussion. Through interactive case studies and debates, you will learn how to reason about the ethical implications of space exploration, technology, and possible future encounters.
