Alien Life and Human Purpose: A Rhetorical Examination through History

(Hardback)

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Alien Life and Human Purpose: A Rhetorical Examination through History provides a rhetorical examination of the way major historical figures connect their arguments for the absence of alien life, or unity, to their philosophical, religious, and ethical agendas. Although the unity myth has often existed in the background of society, shaping institutions and values, during periods where relativism gained prominence, its opponents actively wielded the unity myth as a response; Plato used the unity myth against the sophists, Anglican theologian and philosopher William Whewell against the utilitarians, co-discoverer of evolution Alfred Russell Wallace against the social Darwinists, university professors Frank J. Tipler and John D. Barrow against the postmodernists, etc. These individuals presented scientific defenses of unity and then used the fact of unity to claim the universe is teleological, knowable, and ordered, rather than chaotic and relativistic. This book argues that unity and its complimentary mythic function have played an important role in shaping values throughout history and more importantly continue to do so today.

Reviews

For those curious about the debate on alien life - specifically those who have opposed the idea throughout history - I suggest reading Packer's educational book. * The Morning Sun *
This is a fascinating book on extra-terrestrials and how people have reacted to the idea. It is detailed and comprehensive. Above all, it is tremendous fun. Would that more books were like this one. -- Michael Ruse, Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy, Florida State University
If some day we discover an extraterrestrial civilization circling a distant star, will we humans lose our special place in the cosmos Alien Life and Human Purpose goes beyond the usual scientific claims for and against life on other planets and instead examines the trepidation that some have in learning we are not alone in the universe. Joseph Packer uncovers the neglected side of this historyspanning Greek antiquity to the modern worldas he explores the deepest values of those who have argued for the uniqueness of humankind. -- Douglas Vakoch, SETI Institute

Author Bio

Joseph Packer is assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts at Central Michigan University.