On the Frontier of Redefining “Intelligent Life” in Settler Science

This article posits that the search for extraterrestrial intelligent life (SETI) remains grounded in a hierarchical and progressivist worldview that has fueled colonialism throughout history. Building upon the work of Enrique Dussel and Arthur Lovejoy in particular, the author demonstrates how previous earthly explorations produced a covering over of others, rather than a “discovery.” Those working in SETI fields must consider these histories. This article advocates for more engagement with Indigenous studies scholarship to reach a genuine frontier—a metaparadigm shift beyond object-oriented scientific methods, which are a key component of what the author calls “settler science.”