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
Results 1-3 of 21
Page 4
... give way to that which we are to become in the future . Ultimately , our being and identity can only come into true focus at the end of the process of becoming , in the same way that a story is only completely revealed once it has been ...
... give way to that which we are to become in the future . Ultimately , our being and identity can only come into true focus at the end of the process of becoming , in the same way that a story is only completely revealed once it has been ...
Page 83
... give rise to the expected outcome . Modern science and the technologies that it has produced are dependent upon an ordered notion of the cosmos , a belief that a certain cause will give rise to a predictable effect and that the order of ...
... give rise to the expected outcome . Modern science and the technologies that it has produced are dependent upon an ordered notion of the cosmos , a belief that a certain cause will give rise to a predictable effect and that the order of ...
Page 89
... give them godlike powers over their environment ; however , this idea is rejected on the grounds that human beings seem to require limits and that the old adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely may well prove to be accurate.10 ...
... give them godlike powers over their environment ; however , this idea is rejected on the grounds that human beings seem to require limits and that the old adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely may well prove to be accurate.10 ...
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