Feminist Bioethics in Space Gender Inequality in Space Exploration

The first of its kind, Feminist Bioethics in Space discusses selected bioethical concerns that may arise as space exploration becomes more advanced, applying the perspective of feminist philosophy. As on Earth, mechanisms of injustice, inequality, and oppression can lead to discrimination and unequal participation in extraterrestrial exploration and exploitation. This book shows why feminism's point of view, which highlights the experience of marginalized groups, is not only crucial, but also enriches our reflection on space development.

Through this lens, Konrad Szocik analyzes topics like human autonomy, freedom, responsibility, reproductive issues, and bio enhancement. He also addresses the problematic exclusivity of spacefaring, which is only within reach of the wealthiest individuals, corporations, and institutions. The book features an examination of unjust power structures and the various forms of oppression, while also discussing topics like the status of people with disabilities, who are particularly absent from space-related activities. The final chapter addresses population ethics, considering population challenges on Earth and the idea of antinatalism in the context of interplanetary settlements and expeditions. Over the years, we have slowly learned, with great difficulty, to apply feminist thinking to various areas of our life on Earth. The time has finally come to embrace it for our future in the cosmos as well.

Konrad Szocik is a philosopher, bioethicist, and an assistant professor at the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow. From 2021 to 2022, he was a visiting fellow at the Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics. His research interests include philosophy, the ethics and bioethics of space exploration, human enhancement, feminism, selected issues at the intersection of futures studies and technology, as well as climate change, population ethics, and the philosophy of antinatalism.

Introduction

1. An Introduction to Feminist Ethics and Bioethics

2. An Introduction to Feminist Bioethics in Space: Methodology

3. Power and Exclusion in Space Exploration

4. Disability in Space

5. Feminist Bioethics of Human Enhancement

6. Antinatalism, Environmental Ethics, and Feminism

Conclusions