Astrobiology in Interdisciplinary Context

Abstract Astrobiology and SETI search for life-not-as-we-know-it (yet). Researchers aspire to an understanding not yet found. With that in mind, knowledge about three types of context can inform and improve the search. Observational context: knowing our location as humans (anthropism) can mitigate biases introduced by our desire to over-value humanity (anthropocentrism). Historical context: knowing the history of the search, not just the last 10–30 years, can clarify concepts and significance. Disciplinary context: understanding the rules by which different disciplines operate can reveal the limitations of a single perspective (astronomy, biology, ecology, sociology, law, medicine, philosophy, theology…). Astrobiology and SETI tell epic stories about the place of life in the cosmos. They locate humans morally as well as physically. We should ask why we tell them and how our context shapes the telling, because the stories shape human interactions with the world.