What If?: Religious Themes in Science FictionWho am I? Why am I here?Where am I going?What if . . .?Science fiction delights in asking old questions in new ways. Rather than being primarily about advanced technology and the imagined future, science fiction novels and films are more fundamentally about issues of human nature and destiny. They provide a unique perspective on the same questions that have dominated theology and philosophy throughout history. In this fascinating book, Mike Alsford aims neither to give a history of science fiction, nor to systematically identify specific religious motifs within the genre, but to create an interdisciplinary, exploratory space where we can engage with the primal themes in new ways. Whether we are already well-versed in science fiction, or have had only the briefest encounters with Frankenstein’s monster and Doctor Who, this book will provide exciting insights into questions of identity, the human condition, our relationships and our destiny. |
From inside the book
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Page 2
... ability to provide this service by virtue of its inherent flexi- bility , its indeterminate character as speculative fiction , its ability to go beyond what is and to ask ' what if ? ' . Writers of science fiction delight in asking old ...
... ability to provide this service by virtue of its inherent flexi- bility , its indeterminate character as speculative fiction , its ability to go beyond what is and to ask ' what if ? ' . Writers of science fiction delight in asking old ...
Page 30
... ability to recreate and thus redefine what is truly human . While we can exult along with Victor Frank- enstein and all the mad scientists that followed in his footsteps in the potential for science to take us beyond current orthodoxy ...
... ability to recreate and thus redefine what is truly human . While we can exult along with Victor Frank- enstein and all the mad scientists that followed in his footsteps in the potential for science to take us beyond current orthodoxy ...
Page 120
... ability to be transformed by our environment is our strength , indeed I believe Woolsey to be saying that nothing is ultimately alien to us , no matter how much it may seem to be so . It is this ability to adapt to the unknown that ...
... ability to be transformed by our environment is our strength , indeed I believe Woolsey to be saying that nothing is ultimately alien to us , no matter how much it may seem to be so . It is this ability to adapt to the unknown that ...
Contents
What Are We? | 26 |
Aliens We | 49 |
Where Are We Going and How Do We | 82 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
Aldiss alien android argues Arrakis attempt Augustine become Blade Runner body Borg Brian Aldiss century Christian classic concerning context created creation creature culture cyberpunk define Descartes destiny divine Earth Emmanuel Levinas encounter Enlightenment environment episode essence ethical example experience explored fear film Frankenstein genetic genre of SF Gernsback human condition human existence human nature humanity's Ibid individual Invaders Invaders from Mars issues Kant Karl Barth Klaatu Levinas live Machine Mars Attacks Martians Masterpiece Society means Merleau-Ponty mind modern motif movie Neuromancer novel ourselves Pannenberg particular person perspective philosopher physical planet post-modern potential present question rational reason relationship religion religious Relph science fiction scientific seek seen sense SF writers significance simply SISKO Snow Crash social society space speaks species Star Trek theme theologian theology things thought tradition ultimately understanding utopia virtual reality virtual world William Gibson Wolfhart Pannenberg world-view