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 27
Religious Themes in Science Fiction Mike Alsford. SF as anthropology SF writers
delight in the exploration of human identity and the human condition . Questions
concerning what actually constitutes human - ness are addressed in a variety of ...
Religious Themes in Science Fiction Mike Alsford. SF as anthropology SF writers
delight in the exploration of human identity and the human condition . Questions
concerning what actually constitutes human - ness are addressed in a variety of ...
Page 36
with the various actors who have played the part of the doctor to hear how each
of them has tried to portray continuity of identity with those who have gone before
. Invariably some combination of shared memory and character traits are invoked
...
with the various actors who have played the part of the doctor to hear how each
of them has tried to portray continuity of identity with those who have gone before
. Invariably some combination of shared memory and character traits are invoked
...
Page 121
Indeed , were extraterrestrial contact to become a commonplace , a sense of
planetary identity would no doubt become relevant . Many SF stories that appear
to deal with alien worlds or extraterrestrial visitors to our own world are
concerned ...
Indeed , were extraterrestrial contact to become a commonplace , a sense of
planetary identity would no doubt become relevant . Many SF stories that appear
to deal with alien worlds or extraterrestrial visitors to our own world are
concerned ...
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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 |