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 59
... culture's preoccupation with youth and beauty that has been recast in the mode of something dangerous and alienating ; SF has a unique capacity to take the idols and icons of a culture and expose their disturbing and dehumanising ...
... culture's preoccupation with youth and beauty that has been recast in the mode of something dangerous and alienating ; SF has a unique capacity to take the idols and icons of a culture and expose their disturbing and dehumanising ...
Page 63
... culture as almost transcendental or , as post - moderns such as Jean- François Lyotard would have it , as a grand ... cultures are regarded as quaint or underdeveloped or even primitive in comparison to our own . Western colonialism has ...
... culture as almost transcendental or , as post - moderns such as Jean- François Lyotard would have it , as a grand ... cultures are regarded as quaint or underdeveloped or even primitive in comparison to our own . Western colonialism has ...
Page 94
... culture should turn down their benevolent offer of aid . The recog- nition that other cultures might have achieved a level of enlightened civilised existence without excessive use of tech- nology is one that both the fictional ...
... culture should turn down their benevolent offer of aid . The recog- nition that other cultures might have achieved a level of enlightened civilised existence without excessive use of tech- nology is one that both the fictional ...
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