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 15
... keep the human population subdued and compliant , and to incarcerate them efficiently , the machines have created the Matrix , a com- puter - generated artificial reality in which all of humanity perceive themselves to live out their ...
... keep the human population subdued and compliant , and to incarcerate them efficiently , the machines have created the Matrix , a com- puter - generated artificial reality in which all of humanity perceive themselves to live out their ...
Page 92
... keeping of ' secret dossiers in any administrative depart- ment ' and the use of torture . no man shall be subjected to torture , beating or any other bodily punishment , or to imprisonment with such an excess of silence , noise , light ...
... keeping of ' secret dossiers in any administrative depart- ment ' and the use of torture . no man shall be subjected to torture , beating or any other bodily punishment , or to imprisonment with such an excess of silence , noise , light ...
Page 110
... keep him reminded , amused , proficient at hating man . Immortal , trapped , subject to any torment he could devise for us from the limitless miracles at his command.29 As I write we are only a few months away from the beginning of the ...
... keep him reminded , amused , proficient at hating man . Immortal , trapped , subject to any torment he could devise for us from the limitless miracles at his command.29 As I write we are only a few months away from the beginning of the ...
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