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 1
... establishing what God is not . This ' via nega- tiva ' , while clearly of limited value , often seems to me to be a ... establish the origins of this unique lit- erary form and to trace its development through novel , short story and ...
... establishing what God is not . This ' via nega- tiva ' , while clearly of limited value , often seems to me to be a ... establish the origins of this unique lit- erary form and to trace its development through novel , short story and ...
Page 12
... establish confidence in the capacity of human reason via a careful defi- nition of its limits . In essence Kant ... establishes its own reality in Kantian thought , not by virtue of creating an actual physical world , for Kant insists on ...
... establish confidence in the capacity of human reason via a careful defi- nition of its limits . In essence Kant ... establishes its own reality in Kantian thought , not by virtue of creating an actual physical world , for Kant insists on ...
Page 27
... establish whether it / he has the rights of personhood or is simply property.1 The ensuing debate inevi- tably revolves around the criteria for establishing personhood . The story is not in fact about an android on a spaceship but about ...
... establish whether it / he has the rights of personhood or is simply property.1 The ensuing debate inevi- tably revolves around the criteria for establishing personhood . The story is not in fact about an android on a spaceship but about ...
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