Introduction: From a Single World to a Multiplanetary Horizon
Ever since space travel began, humanity has been questioning and expanding the foundations of its existence. In the past, we tried to make sense of life with the limited information our surroundings provided. Today, as we gather more knowledge about the depths of space, old meanings are replaced by new questions. For centuries, humanity pursued the quest for meaning with a worldview centered around Earth. However, as the doors to space open, the natural boundaries of this quest are starting to expand.
Today’s space agencies are working towards establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon and Mars. With ambitious goals like “sustainable human presence” and “long-term bases,” they are preparing for the future. Yet, the certainty of these goals leading to a “multiplanetary civilization” remains an assumption. Thus, the transformation into a multiplanetary civilization should be viewed more as a vision.
As we consider the implications of this expansion on our search for meaning, the psycho-social and existential impacts offer a rich philosophical landscape. The vastness of space places humanity within a broader cosmic perspective. This confronts us not only with technical development but also with the idea of a new worldview and order. So, when the space of meaning expands, does the meaning itself change, or do only its expressions differ?
Classic Sources of the Search for Meaning
Throughout history, people have woven their search for meaning around fundamental elements such as the sacred, myth, family, and community. Sacred texts and mythologies provided frameworks that organized our chaotic existence. Families and communities served as carriers of coexistence and belonging. Death and mortality have been among the areas where meaning is most deeply questioned in many cultures.
Existential psychology views humans not only as biological beings but also as beings in pursuit of meaning. The sociology of religion sees the sacred and rituals as crucial elements in the production of meaning. At the intersection of these fields, it becomes clear that the search for meaning is closely related to identity, purpose, belonging, and value creation.
Space and multiplanetarity have the potential to touch these classic sources of meaning. However, how this touch will occur is currently uncertain. Different cultural and faith communities may attribute different meanings to the same cosmic expansion. Therefore, when we speak of “humanity’s search for meaning,” we encounter a diverse tableau rather than a homogeneous structure.
Science fiction literature and cinema, especially from the 19th and 20th centuries, have offered imaginative scenes that incorporate space and other worlds into the search for meaning. These works have influenced the collective imagination, shaping cultural sources that inform how we think about multiplanetary life.
The Psychological Impact of Multiplanetary Living
Living for extended periods on other planets or in space can present significant challenges in terms of psychology and the search for meaning. Factors such as long isolation periods, confined and limited spaces, delayed communication with Earth, high risk, and uncertainty are being researched as significant psychosocial risks even…