Historical and Sociological Interpretation of Ufology

This volume takes the reader on a journey through the history, ideas, and myths that have shaped the birth and evolution of ufology, analyzing its deepest roots and its surprising relevance in contemporary society. The UFO phenomenon is not addressed here merely as a matter of news or sensationalism, but is instead situated within the broader context of culture, religion, science, and the collective imagination.

From antiquity to the modern era, the question of the plurality of inhabited worlds intertwines with humanity's most profound questions: who are we, where do we come from, are we alone in the universe? The book explores how, over the centuries, this unease has taken on different forms, moving from the first philosophical speculations to popular beliefs, up to the emergence of a true modern mythology of extraterrestrials. The historical phases are investigated in which reflection on the existence of other worlds has been opposed, embraced, forgotten, or transformed into collective myth, and it is observed how science fiction narratives, the media, religion, and science have continually fueled new forms of belief.

A great deal of attention is given to the religious dimension of the phenomenon, which manifests itself both in cultist groups and in the "technological" reinterpretation of ancient doctrines and biblical myths. The book shows how the figure of the extraterrestrial has, in many cultures and movements, taken on the role of a new messiah, prophet, or intermediary between man and the divine, acting as a mirror of the anxieties, hopes, and crises of Western civilization. The testimonies of contactees, the birth of new cults, and the transposition of eschatological and messianic themes into the language of ufology are analyzed through a historical and sociological lens, without neglecting the role of psychology and group dynamics.

The narrative is enriched by the voices of scientists, philosophers, theologians, and sociologists, offering the reader a comprehensive and well-documented overview in which the plurality of worlds becomes not only an object of scientific speculation, but also a key to understanding the transformations of collective thought, the crisis of traditional religions, and the birth of new contemporary myths.

Through rigorous research and a clear, engaging prose style, the author invites readers to reflect on the social and cultural function of the UFO myth, exploring the deeper motivations that drive men and women to believe in extraterrestrials, and showing how these beliefs-far from being mere superstitions-represent a modern response to the great existential questions.