cosmism

Cosmism, or kosmizm, is a philosophical and cultural movement that originated in Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It synthesizes science, ethics, and spirituality, arguing that humanity has a transformative role in the cosmos and that technological progress should be directed toward enabling life to expand beyond Earth and ultimately fulfill a cosmic destiny.

Founders and early exponents include Nikolai Fyodorov, who articulated the idea of universal resurrection and a common human task to preserve and restore life through systematic knowledge; Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, a foundational figure in astronautics who connected space exploration with civilizational advancement; and Vladimir Vernadsky, whose concept of the noosphere framed human thought as a geological force shaping the biosphere. Cosmism also embraces visions of immortality or significantly extended life through science, as well as the ethical duty to protect future generations and all sentient beings.

Impact and legacy: Cosmism influenced early Soviet science fiction, philosophy of science, and later transhumanist and space advocacy movements. It remains a subject of scholarly debate, noted for its ambitious synthesis of cosmology, ethics, and technology, as well as for its critique of human self-destruction and its utopian tendencies. Critics warn of techno-utopian risk and potential social inequities, while supporters see it as a forward-looking framework for humanity's long-term survival in the cosmos.