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 4
Religious Themes in Science Fiction Mike Alsford. explore our lives day by day , and we explore the galaxy , trying to ... live here . It is not linear . SISKO : No , it's not linear . The theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg has gone to great ...
Religious Themes in Science Fiction Mike Alsford. explore our lives day by day , and we explore the galaxy , trying to ... live here . It is not linear . SISKO : No , it's not linear . The theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg has gone to great ...
Page 24
... 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 rather than backwards in the manner of Dickins ' Miss Haver- sham . Time - travel stories such as H. G. Wells ...
... 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 rather than backwards in the manner of Dickins ' Miss Haver- sham . Time - travel stories such as H. G. Wells ...
Page 83
... live coherent lives . It is for this reason that we become exasperated with people and institutions that do not behave in a consistent manner , that ' change the rules ' or ' move the goalposts ' . One of the highest forms of praise ...
... live coherent lives . It is for this reason that we become exasperated with people and institutions that do not behave in a consistent manner , that ' change the rules ' or ' move the goalposts ' . One of the highest forms of praise ...
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