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 37
... moved beyond mytho- logical ways of thinking which want to look to the past – to the beginning - to understand what ... moving towards . - This is clearly one of the reasons why SF is so interesting and popular it seeks to look forward ...
... moved beyond mytho- logical ways of thinking which want to look to the past – to the beginning - to understand what ... moving towards . - This is clearly one of the reasons why SF is so interesting and popular it seeks to look forward ...
Page 63
... moving from planet to planet , their whole civilization . After they've consumed every natural resource they move on . This could so easily be a description of industrial or corporate colonialism : the stripping of the rainforests , the ...
... moving from planet to planet , their whole civilization . After they've consumed every natural resource they move on . This could so easily be a description of industrial or corporate colonialism : the stripping of the rainforests , the ...
Page 83
... move the goalposts ' . One of the highest forms of praise that we can give to a friend , or an enemy for that matter , is that ' you know where you are with them ' . In the 1999 film The Matrix , recognition that what is being perceived ...
... move the goalposts ' . One of the highest forms of praise that we can give to a friend , or an enemy for that matter , is that ' you know where you are with them ' . In the 1999 film The Matrix , recognition that what is being perceived ...
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