Philosophical perspectives on the problem of extraterrestrial signal detection

Arthur C. Fricke

doi:10.1117/12.435360

3 August 2001 Philosophical perspectives on the problem of extraterrestrial signal detection

Arthur C. Fricke

Proceedings Volume 4273, The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) in the Optical Spectrum III; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.435360
Event: Photonics West 2001 - LASE, 2001, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

SETI (the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) is a unique scientific activity. Given that SETI researchers purport to study a phenomenon that has as of yet not been demonstrated to exist, some commentators claim that the field cannot in fact be called 'scientific' at all. Examining the field from a philosophical perspective, this paper will show that SETI does indeed satisfy Popperian falsificationist principles of scientific legitimacy. In addition, this paper will highlight how these principles apply to methodological diversity within SETI.

Citation Download Citation

Arthur C. Fricke "Philosophical perspectives on the problem of extraterrestrial signal detection", Proc. SPIE 4273, The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) in the Optical Spectrum III, (3 August 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.435360

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