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 115
... planet's hostile surface . So inhospitable to human life is Jupiter's atmosphere that the only way in which the planet could be colonised is if the human body were con- verted to a form more appropriate to the alien atmosphere : ' For ...
... planet's hostile surface . So inhospitable to human life is Jupiter's atmosphere that the only way in which the planet could be colonised is if the human body were con- verted to a form more appropriate to the alien atmosphere : ' For ...
Page 119
... planet Syncroses - the destination of the current mining expedition - is a world in perpetual darkness , an unknown planet that defies even tech- nological attempts at penetrating its darkness . In such a world one is isolated not only ...
... planet Syncroses - the destination of the current mining expedition - is a world in perpetual darkness , an unknown planet that defies even tech- nological attempts at penetrating its darkness . In such a world one is isolated not only ...
Page 123
... planet would be the heir to the future , and without such a host it was helpless - a mere pattern of electric charges , a matrix of order and self - awareness in a universe of chaos . By its own resources the Swarm had no control over ...
... planet would be the heir to the future , and without such a host it was helpless - a mere pattern of electric charges , a matrix of order and self - awareness in a universe of chaos . By its own resources the Swarm had no control over ...
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