The Fermi Paradox Is Neither Fermi's Nor a Paradox

The so-called Fermi paradox claims that if technological life existed elsewhere, we would see evidence of its visits to Earth—and since we do not, such life does not exist, or some special explanation is needed. Enrico Fermi, however, never published anything on this topic. The claim "they are not here; therefore they do not exist" was first published by Michael Hart, taking its absence here as proof that it does not exist anywhere. The Fermi paradox appears to originate in Hart's argument, not Fermi's question. This paper argues that the Fermi paradox misrepresents Fermi's views, misappropriates his authority, deprives the actual authors of credit, and is not a valid paradox.

Robert H. Gray