The Terraforming of Mars as Seen Through the Lens of Biocentrism and Ecocentrism

This dissertation undertakes to investigate whether biocentrism and ecocentrism can serve as a viable ethical framework to guide human space exploration in general and the terraforming and colonisation of Mars in particular. The first part involves the provision of the necessary background information: the history and motives behind human space exploration and Mars colonisation, the reasons why anthropocentric approaches have failed the environment so far, the current Martian environment and the technical requirements of the terraforming process. The second part of the study focuses on presenting the principles of ecocentrism and biocentrism, to include a critical discussion of the criteria applied to award moral standing and of the practical aspects of the management of conflicts of interests in either theory. The last part, then, combines the findings of the previous research to establish that ecocentrism and biocentrism permit the terraforming of Mars – whether or not it contains indigenous life – provided that the rationale given is strong enough and the execution is such that respect for the environment and living things is guaranteed.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

ma

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Freuding, Manfred

• B Athroniaeth (Cyffredinol)
• QB Astronomeg

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:2921