Research Support
SPIRITS

Integrated Studies of Ethical and Social Issues concerning Future Space Exploration

Project Gist

To make a basis for public discussion concerning future space activity

Keywords

Space exploration, Space development, Space utilization, Space ethics, ELSI (Ethical, Legal, Social Implications)

Background and Purpose

Our project aims to make a basis for public discussion concerning future space activity. For this purpose, we exploit and integrate knowledge and approaches of humanities, social sciences, and space sciences. On these bases, we study ethical, legal, and social implications of space activity, and conduct a public opinion poll concerning space activity.

Project Achievements

We organized a network of researchers from various disciplines concerning space activity, and published a research report concerning ethical, legal, social implications (ELSI) of space activity. The report is the world’s first endeavor to investigate comprehensively and technically ELSI of space activity.

Future Prospects

We plan to explicate rationales of future space activity using approaches of humanities and social sciences, and to make clear characteristics and potentials of space science and technology.

Figure

A research report concerning ethical, legal, and social implications of space exploration, development, and utilization

Principal Investigator

KUREHA Makoto

・KUREHA Makoto
・Unit of Synergetic Studies for Space, Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research
・Makoto Kureha is a philosopher, though he addresses issues concerning advanced science and technology such as space activity. Through such research, he aims to renew the way of thinking in philosophy and ethics.
http://researchmap.jp/whiteelephant0901