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 29
... creation , his offspring . Perhaps Shelley is , after all , telling us how monsters are made . Another early example of SF's concern with the question of human nature can be seen in the 1915 German film entitled Homunculus ( based on a ...
... creation , his offspring . Perhaps Shelley is , after all , telling us how monsters are made . Another early example of SF's concern with the question of human nature can be seen in the 1915 German film entitled Homunculus ( based on a ...
Page 31
... creation that theology has tended to look for its understanding of human being as a creature of God , whose very existence is derived from God and whose nature and mode of being issues from the divine intention to create a being of a ...
... creation that theology has tended to look for its understanding of human being as a creature of God , whose very existence is derived from God and whose nature and mode of being issues from the divine intention to create a being of a ...
Page 68
... creation , fall and redemption - demands the use of normative language and is at the very heart of Christianity's ability to function ethically and politically.26 We are not alone We are told in the opening chapters of Genesis that the ...
... creation , fall and redemption - demands the use of normative language and is at the very heart of Christianity's ability to function ethically and politically.26 We are not alone We are told in the opening chapters of Genesis that the ...
Contents
What Are We? | 26 |
Aliens We | 49 |
Where Are We Going and How Do We | 82 |
Copyright | |
1 other sections not shown
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