🚫

Ethical Case Against Mars Colonization

May 8, 2025

Humans Should Not Colonize Mars

Article Overview

  • Journal: Journal of the American Philosophical Association
  • Year: 2017
  • DOI: 10.1017/apa.2017.26
  • Author: Ian Stoner
  • Main Thesis: Establishing a human presence on Mars is morally wrong due to two primary arguments:
    1. The principle constraining invasive/destructive scientific investigation.
    2. The principle of appropriate human behavior in wilderness.

Arguments Against Mars Colonization

1. Methodology in Space Ethics

  • Practical Controversy-Centered Mode: Begins with widely held beliefs and draws conclusions readers might overlook.
  • Theory-Centered Mode: Starts with a general theory and applies it to the practical question.
  • Existing Work: Space ethics often uses theory-centered methods, which may not directly influence public discourse.

2. Popular Justifications for Mars Colonization

  1. Resource Exploitation:

    • Mars is rich in resources, but mining asteroids is more cost-effective due to their relative accessibility.
    • Earth's mismanagement should not justify Martian exploitation.
  2. Pioneering Nature:

    • Human nature's drive to explore does not justify colonization.
    • Expansionary drives need justification as they have historically led to morally questionable outcomes.
  3. Experiments in Living:

    • Proposals for alternative societies could be pursued on Earth rather than Mars.
    • Mars is inhospitable compared to Earth's remaining unexplored areas.
  4. Backup Planet:

    • Mars colonization is not the best solution for species survival.
    • Invest in planetary defenses on Earth instead.
  5. Scientific Exploration:

    • Mars offers unique scientific opportunities, but colonization is not necessary for exploration.

3. Principle of Scientific Conservation

  • Definition: Destructive investigation is permissible only if it doesn't threaten the object's value and if no alternatives exist.
  • Mars Context: Human colonization would introduce Earth microbes, disrupting Martian science.
  • Alternatives: Robotic probes offer less invasive methods for Martian exploration.

4. Tread Lightly Principle

  • Definition: We should leave wilderness in a state indistinguishable from a scenario where we hadn't visited.
  • Mars Context: Colonization risks permanently altering Mars, violating this principle.

Conclusion

  • Colonizing Mars is morally wrong due to contamination risks and permanent alteration of its environment.
  • Scientific values should guide our exploration efforts, not colonization.
  • Ethical considerations should inform space exploration decisions, emphasizing preservation over colonization.