The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence: A Philosophical Inquiry [Paperback]

David Lamb (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415243424 | ISBN-13: 978-0415243421 | Publication Date: March 21, 2001

Is the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence a genuine scientific research programme? David Lamb evaluates claims and counter-claims, and examines recent attempts to establish contact with other intelligent life forms. He considers the benefits and drawbacks of this communication, how we should communicate and whether we actually can. He also assesses competing theories on the origin of life on Earth, discoveries of former solar planets, proposals for space colonies and the consequent technical and ethical issues.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Lamb is Reader in Philosophy and Bioethics at the University of Birmingham

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (March 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415243424
• ISBN-13: 978-0415243421
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,825,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking, despite some technical errors, October 17, 2003

By 

M. A Michaud "michael_michaud" (Dulles, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence: A Philosophical Inquiry (Paperback)

David Lamb, an instructor in philosophy and bioethics, brings a refreshingly different perspective to the search for ETI and the implications of possible future contact. He examines the assumptions and logic of those engaged in SETI, particularly astronomers. Lamb points out that arguments based on probability and analogy can not be conclusive, though they provide legitimate bases for scientific speculation. He acknowledges that SETI differs from most sciences in the sense that it is driven by metaphysical beliefs and deep psychological desires for companionship. But, he adds, world-views do not have to be antithetical to scientific evidence.

Lamb comes down in favor of continuing the search. "SETI might well turn out to be an example of too much speculation chasing too few facts," he writes, "but this is not an argument for dismissing its conjectures as nonsense; rather, it indicates a requirement to go ahead and produce more facts." He believes that most of our predictions about contact with an advanced civilization are likely to be wrong. Lamb includes balanced presentations on the Fermi Paradox and the UFO phenomenon.

The book contains some errors about scientific facts. In discussing the Drake equation and related issues, Lamb provides wildly varying figures for the number of stars in our galaxy. He writes that, if a Gamma Ray Burster went off near the center of our galaxy, "within seconds the Earth would be exposed to a massive wave of gamma rays." These errors do not undermine his basic arguments; the virtues of the book far outweigh its minor faults.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Search for a Good SETI Book: Found!, June 10, 2004

By 

Scott Burger (Orcas Island, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence: A Philosophical Inquiry (Paperback)

Altough i am not a big SETI book reader, i am a big SETI advocate. I've done my share of research and Science Channel watching, but until i read David Lamb's book, i never really understood what was going on. The author not only tells you what sort of intelligences could be out there (machine, laser beams, etc) but also explains how to communicate to such. I've yet to read other SETI books to compare it to, so i can't give it 5/5, but 4/5 is still good enough to buy.