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 18
Religious Themes in Science Fiction Mike Alsford. crossroads . Once we have harnessed nuclear power , where will we allow it to take us ? Once we are able to create thinking machines , how will they affect our own sense of identity ? And ...
Religious Themes in Science Fiction Mike Alsford. crossroads . Once we have harnessed nuclear power , where will we allow it to take us ? Once we are able to create thinking machines , how will they affect our own sense of identity ? And ...
Page 21
... once made the point that for him the primary charac- teristic of new technology is that it gets closer to the skin . What he means by this is that technology is becoming increas- ingly invasive : what was once seen in public places next ...
... once made the point that for him the primary charac- teristic of new technology is that it gets closer to the skin . What he means by this is that technology is becoming increas- ingly invasive : what was once seen in public places next ...
Page 57
... Once again we have the alien invaders taking on human form , disintegrating when killed and being fought by the lone vigilante . What makes this series interesting is the form that the aliens take and thus , by associ- ation , the kind ...
... Once again we have the alien invaders taking on human form , disintegrating when killed and being fought by the lone vigilante . What makes this series interesting is the form that the aliens take and thus , by associ- ation , the kind ...
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