EGMT 1540: Decolonize Mars

Interplanetary travel and colonies on Mars may not be the stuff of science fiction much longer. There are ongoing efforts that would see humans back on the Moon by 2030. At the same time, SpaceX plans to send manned missions to Mars within the next decade. At the precipice of humanity’s interplanetary future, we must ask ourselves: is it ethical for humanity to seek out new worlds to call home? Some argue that the colonization of Mars is a natural next step in humanity’s technological advancement; others go so far as to say that it is necessary for the very survival of humanity. On the other hand, there are a range of arguments against Mars colonization including danger, environmental impacts, impracticality, and more. Together, we will explore the ethics of space travel and colonization—interrogating what it would mean for humanity to colonize other worlds and envisioning what a “good” future might look like.