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. |
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Page 23
more they help to provide us with a sense of responsibility towards the future . An
orientation towards the future , openness to that which is beyond us is , according
to the Christian theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg , essential to what it means to ...
more they help to provide us with a sense of responsibility towards the future . An
orientation towards the future , openness to that which is beyond us is , according
to the Christian theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg , essential to what it means to ...
Page 24
both the past and the future in the hope that we might gain greater control over
the present . We are constantly exhorted not to live in the past , to lay to rest the
ghosts of the past and to look towards the future , to live our lives looking forward
...
both the past and the future in the hope that we might gain greater control over
the present . We are constantly exhorted not to live in the past , to lay to rest the
ghosts of the past and to look towards the future , to live our lives looking forward
...
Page 25
Depictions of the future are often extrapolations of the present rather than
genuine predictions and this would account for how quickly an SF film can
appear out of date with respect to its attempts to portray the ' style ' of the future .
Depictions of the future are often extrapolations of the present rather than
genuine predictions and this would account for how quickly an SF film can
appear out of date with respect to its attempts to portray the ' style ' of the future .
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Contents
What Are | 31 |
Aliens | 49 |
Where Are We Going and How Do We | 82 |
Copyright | |
1 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
actually alien answer appear argues attempt become begins belief body central century Christian clearly concerning considered context course created creature culture deal define dependent Descartes destiny Earth effect encounter Enlightenment environment establish ethical example existence experience explored fact fear film future genre give hope human idea identity important individual interesting issues Kant kind knowledge live look Machine matter means mind nature never notion novel once ourselves particular past perhaps person philosopher physical planet possible potential present produced question reality reason referred regarded relating relationship religion religious represents science fiction seek seen sense significance simply social society space speaks Star Star Trek story theme theology things thought tradition true ultimately understanding utopia variety virtual whole writers
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | What If?: Religious Themes in Science Fiction |
| Author | Mike Alsford |
| Publisher | Darton, Longman & Todd, 2000 |
| Original from | the University of Michigan |
| Digitized | 27 Feb 2008 |
| ISBN | 0232523479, 9780232523478 |
| Length | 164 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |