Role of the observer in the scientific process in astrobiology and in defining life

Vera M. Kolb

doi:10.1117/12.861424

7 September 2010 Role of the observer in the scientific process in astrobiology and in defining life

Vera M. Kolb

Proceedings Volume 7819, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XIII; 78190A (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.861424
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The role of the observer in the scientific process has been studied in various contexts, including philosophical. It is notorious that the experiments are theory-loaded, that the observers pick and choose what they consider important based on their scientific and cultural backgrounds, and that the same phenomenon may be studied by different observers from different angles. In this paper we critically review various authors' views of the role of the observer in the scientific process, as they apply to astrobiology. Astrobiology is especially vulnerable to the role of the observer, since it is an interdisciplinary science. Thus, the backgrounds of the observers in the astrobiology field are even more heterogeneous than in the other sciences. The definition of life is also heavily influenced by the observer of life who injects his/her own prejudices in the process of observing and defining life. Such prejudices are often dictated by the state of science, instrumentation, and the science politics at the time, as well as the educational, scientific, cultural and other background of the observer.

Citation Download Citation

Vera M. Kolb "Role of the observer in the scientific process in astrobiology and in defining life", Proc. SPIE 7819, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XIII, 78190A (7 September 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.861424

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
5 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Astrobiology

Chemistry

Interdisciplinary fields

Proteins

Visualization

Chemical analysis

Microscopes

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years