Event—Adult Education

A Brief History of the Extraterrestrial Life Debate

Since the fifth century BCE, Western philosophers, theologians, astronomers, literary figures, and many others have written about the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life. Where does it exist? What is it like? And what, if any, is its relationship to us, our world, and our beliefs? This one-day seminar will selectively survey the 2,500-year-old history of...

Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (August 27 at 9 am** – September 13 at 4 pm): $85
Regular Registration Price (September 13 at 4 pm – first day of class): $93.5

** Registration opens online at 9 am. Phone registration will be accepted starting at 10 am.

Members, seniors, and students get a 10% discount.

Register online

Seminar Description

Since the fifth century BCE, Western philosophers, theologians, astronomers, literary figures, and many others have written about the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life. Where does it exist? What is it like? And what, if any, is its relationship to us, our world, and our beliefs? This one-day seminar will selectively survey the 2,500-year-old history of the still-unresolved extraterrestrial life debate and, in the process, identify some of its shaping influences, themes, and key contributors.

One session. E - $85, L - $93.5

Lee Minnerly holds an MA in anthropology and teaches classes at the Newberry on Old and New World archaeology, cultural astronomy, early science fiction, and the extraterrestrial life debate. He also volunteers at the Webster Institute for the History of Astronomy at the Adler Planetarium.

Materials List

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.