Philosophical-Anthropological Aspects of Space Exploration: Main Contradictions and Prospects for Consensus

Purpose. In this article, the author aims to provide a philosophic-anthropological study on the prospects of space exploration by clarifying several related questions: Why should mankind explore extraterrestrial space? Where are the key consensus points, the achievement of which will be the determining prerequisites for mankind to go beyond the current boundaries of inhabited space and establish ourselves in the outer world? How could anthropology help today in preparing for space exploration? Theoretical basis. The author has taken into account a number of recent studies that focus on the social-anthropological aspects of the current stage of space exploration and development. Of particular interest are those specific social techniques and descriptive methods that anthropologists propose to incorporate into contemporary space exploration. These include: thick description method, double exposure method, participant observation method, and special practices of "dwelling", "placing", mapping, outlining, visualizing, etc. Originality. From a philosophic-anthropological perspective, the author focuses on understanding the current counterpoints on the path of space exploration, in particular, analyzing the contradictions between technocratic, pragmatic-political, and humanistic approaches to space expansion. Possible prospects for consensus between different worldview positions on the place and role of man in the process of space colonization are formulated. The anthropological discourse is expanded in terms of studying the possible impact of space development for human identity, existential status, and ethical guidelines of the human civilization. Conclusions. The near-Earth space has already become an object of influence of human technologies. But so far men themselves in near-Earth space are rare, rather exceptional phenomena. Man, at this stage of space industry development, is mostly just an operator of space equipment. The constant presence of people (with their social, cultural, political, psychological and all other "human" attitudes) will probably contribute to the gradual transformation of this space into an "anthroposphere".