Volume 9 Number 1 (Spring 2019)
This Spring 2020 issue of the Journal of Space Philosophy goes to press as the world suffers what may turn out to be the worst biological pandemic in Earth’s history. The coronavirus has spread rapidly around the world with no vaccine to counter it. It is an unseen human enemy causing illness and increasing fatalities. Since 2012, this journal has addressed many natural and human threats to humanity that Space may be able to ameliorate or resolve. This is a new threat that originated on Earth with no known Space solutions today. This issue includes an article by Louis Kauffman and Joel Isaacson on Recursive Distinctioning. Readers will see a possible scientific link between biological viruses and RD at the end of their article.
Also in this issue, we begin a new academic subject that will appear in our future courses, programs and research. The basic research question for that subject is “How will Space settlers need to adapt biologically, mentally, and socially to living and surviving in Space?”
The feature article is “Long-Term Space Inhabitants: Their Needs, Care and Support,” by Lawrence G. Downing, DMin.
Dr. Downing is one of the founders of Kepler Space Institute (KSI), is KSI Director of Space Faith, and is a member of the KSI Graduate Faculty. Following are a few research questions he included in his article:
What are the most efficient and effective methods to sustain and enhance life as humans make their way toward and into the vacuum of space? What are the moral and ethical implications incumbent upon those who are responsible for the care and protection of intelligent life-forms? What adaptations are necessary to enhance the survival of those who live beyond Earth? What are the mechanisms necessary to maintain healthy individuals encapsulated in a mechanical contrivance, and what are the strictures that will guide the behaviors of those who are thrust on the long journey to a chosen destination?
Editors, Journal of Space Philosophy
Bob Krone PhD, Editor-in-Chief
Gordon Arthur PhD, Associate Editor