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 14
... concerning human nature , knowledge and morality ; and above all the notion of humanity as the creator of its own identity and indeed of its own world . Fur- thermore , with its emphasis upon human perception as the source of all true ...
... concerning human nature , knowledge and morality ; and above all the notion of humanity as the creator of its own identity and indeed of its own world . Fur- thermore , with its emphasis upon human perception as the source of all true ...
Page 27
... concerning what actually constitutes human - ness are addressed in a variety of ways via stories concerned with artificial intelligence , genetic engin- eering , androids , virtual reality , time - travel and alien encounters . In an ...
... concerning what actually constitutes human - ness are addressed in a variety of ways via stories concerned with artificial intelligence , genetic engin- eering , androids , virtual reality , time - travel and alien encounters . In an ...
Page 28
... concerning the extent to which our bodies are important to our ' humanness ' . This is particu- larly so within the cyberpunk sub - genre where questions are raised concerning the effect of increased amounts of cybernetic enhancement or ...
... concerning the extent to which our bodies are important to our ' humanness ' . This is particu- larly so within the cyberpunk sub - genre where questions are raised concerning the effect of increased amounts of cybernetic enhancement or ...
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