Case Studies of Astrobiological Ideas, Spring 2007

ASTR 597

(special topics seminar, 2 cred-hr)

Main Instructor: Prof. Woody Sullivan (Astronomy/Astrobiology/History of Science), woody@astro.washington.edu

Other Instructors: Prof. Mott Greene (Univ. of Puget Sound, History of Science), greene@ups.edu

Billy Brazelton (Oceanography/Astrobiology grad student), braz@ocean.washington.edu

Class Description

Meets Thursdays, 1:30pm in JHN 241 – NOTE ROOM CHANGE!

The goal of this course is to give Astrobiology (and other science) graduate students insight into aspects of the past development of our ideas concerning extraterrestrial life and the origin of life. Although the focus will be on questions and debates in the past, we expect that comparisons with the present situation will frequently arise. Examples include: the very legitimacy of the field, the relationships between scientific and religious/philosophical ideas, how established disciplines interact with and react to astrobiological ideas, how to search for extraterrestrial life, etc.

After an initial historical overview, the course will examine four case studies, each led by one of the instructors. Readings of original historical material, as well as historical analyses, will be supplied from the Web or as photocopies.

“Sit-in” students are welcome.

Class Schedule & Readings

Week 1 (March 29): Introduction

Required readings:

Science news articles on Astrobiology funding (PDF1) (PDF2)

Week 2 (April 5): Ideas on extraterrestrial life pre-1850

Required readings:

Chapter 1 of Planets & Life: History of Astrobiological Ideas by Sullivan and Carney (PDF)

Chapters 1-4 (Lucretius, Bruno, Fontenelle, Huygens) from The Quest for Extraterrestrial Life (Goldsmith, 1980)

(PDF)

Week 3 (April 12): Oparin, Haldane, and Urey (1920-1952)

Required readings:

Oparin, A.I. (1924) The Origin of Life (handout in class)

Urey, H.C. (1952) On the early chemical history of the Earth and the origin of life. PNAS. (PDF)

Week 4 (April 19): Dialectical materialism and the origin of life (1936-1980)

Required readings:

Haldane, J.B.S. (1939) The Marxist Philosphy and the Sciences. Chapter 1: “Some Marxists Principles” (handout in class)

Farley, J. (1977) The spontaneous generation controversy from Descartes to Oparin. Chapter 9: “Final abandonment” (handout in class)

Optional reading:

Graham, L.R. (1987) Science, philosophy, and human behavior in the Soviety Union. Chapter 3: “The Origin of Life” (ask Billy if interested)

Week 5 (April 26): Mars and the Martians (1870-1930)

Required readings:

Week 6 (May 3): Mars and the Martians (1870-1930)

Required readings:

Week 7 (May 10): Minimum size limits for extraterrestrial life (late 20^th c.)

Required readings:

Week 8 (May 17): Minimum size limits for extraterrestrial life (late 20^th c.)

Required readings:

Week 9 (May 24): Beginnings of SETI (1958-65)

Required readings:

Week 10 (May 31): Overview, recap

Required readings: