The Astrosociological Paradigm: The Interplay between Ecologies and Environments

This paper discusses, analyzes, and contrasts some of the terminologies used in sociological, ecological, and environmental literatures as they relate to the astrosociological paradigm. Astrosociology is concerned with the two-way relationship between outer space and human society. This relationship includes the vitally important interplay among ecologies and environments on Earth and in outer space. In general, ecology is defined as the relationship between the distribution, abundance, and relations of organisms. On the other hand, environment is defined as an abiotic area, which may or may not be capable of supporting biotas. Within the astrosociological paradigm focusing on contemporary issues and events, we are mainly concerned with humans from the Earth environment maintaining some sort of relationship with various space ecologies, but also mindful of how the space environment surrounding Earth affects terrestrial societies. This paper emphasizes the point that the relationship between ecologies and environments is far more complicated than many realize, having deeper consequences for policy-makers and law-makers, scientists, engineers, and other fields that analyze the utility of outer space. We contend that analyzing ecology and environment as distinctive elements will engender a deeper view of the manifestation of astrosocial phenomena and thereby provide a better framework in which to analyze how such phenomena develop and evolve. Moreover, studying their interactions within an established ecosystem produces even greater insights. This type of approach exposes the essence of astrosociological analysis, and thus it represents a fundamental aspect of the relationship between outer space and humankind. I