Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space Study Guide & Plot Synopsis

Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space Plot Summary

Preview of Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space Summary:

Pale Blue Dot may initially appear to concern space and space travel; it is, after all, written by the famous astronomer and popular science writer Carl Sagan. Indeed, many chapters of Pale Blue Dot focus on the geology of the planets in the Solar System, how to travel to Mars, the history of the Voyager probes, and so on. However, Sagan has a broader aim, for Pale Blue Dot is arguably a work of post-Christian Western theology. In fact, the book's subtitle is "A Vision of the Human Future in Space" and in fact, it is just that.

The first four chapters outline Saganic theology. First, Sagan points out that humans seem born with a certain self-importance. They see themselves as the center of the universe and think that their conflicts are all-important and worthy of their total devotion. He sees men, as do many in Western religions, as arrogant...
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