Colonial cosmologies and the search for extraterrestrial life: How Western science frames the cosmos through a lens of scarcity and domination
Original framing: “Are aliens real? Scientists have been hunting for extraterrestrial life since the time of Aristotle” — The Conversation - Global
Indigenous cosmologies universally reject the Western binary of 'self' and 'other,' instead framing the cosmos as a relational web where all beings are kin. The search for extraterrestrial life as framed by Western science is a colonial project that seeks to assert human dominance over the unknown, mirroring the same logic used to justify the conquest of Indigenous lands. Traditional knowledge systems, such as those of the Māori or Navajo, do not separate the spiritual from the scientific, and thus would not recognize the Western distinction between 'aliens' and 'humans.' These perspectives highlight the ethical and epistemological limitations of the current scientific approach.
The search for extraterrestrial life, as framed by Western science, is not merely a neutral scientific endeavor but a continuation of colonial cosmologies that prioritize human dominance and resource extraction.
This narrative obscures the vast diversity of cosmic life forms and the ethical implications of treating the universe as a frontier for human expansion. Indigenous and non-Western traditions offer a radical alternative, framing the cosmos as a living, interconnected web where humanity is but one thread among many. By centering these perspectives, we can decolonize astrobiology and develop more ethical and inclusive approaches to cosmic exploration. The solution pathways—decolonizing astrobiology, expanding the definition of life, establishing ethical frameworks, and challenging the 'alien' narrative—provide actionable steps to transform this field into one that honors the interconnectedness of all existence. This shift is not just scientific but spiritual, artistic, and political, requiring a fundamental reimagining of humanity’s place in the cosmos.