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 7
The so - called human sciences such as psychology and sociology ,
philosophical movements such as existentialism , and ethical systems such as
Jeremy Bentham ' s Utilitarianism , were made possible and credible only in the
contexts of the ...
The so - called human sciences such as psychology and sociology ,
philosophical movements such as existentialism , and ethical systems such as
Jeremy Bentham ' s Utilitarianism , were made possible and credible only in the
contexts of the ...
Page 19
The future described by Gernsback was a possible one founded upon real
science extrapolated ; he had little time for flights of fancy , as this 1932 quote
makes clear : Many modern science fiction authors . . . do not hesitate to throw
scientific ...
The future described by Gernsback was a possible one founded upon real
science extrapolated ; he had little time for flights of fancy , as this 1932 quote
makes clear : Many modern science fiction authors . . . do not hesitate to throw
scientific ...
Page 23
... his own person through his resurrection from the dead so that truly human life
becomes possible through community with him , then that realisation towards
which all human hopes are aimed is already fulfilled in him in an anticipatory way
.
... his own person through his resurrection from the dead so that truly human life
becomes possible through community with him , then that realisation towards
which all human hopes are aimed is already fulfilled in him in an anticipatory way
.
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Contents
What Are | 31 |
Aliens | 49 |
Where Are We Going and How Do We | 82 |
Copyright | |
1 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
actually alien answer appear argues attempt become begins belief body central century Christian clearly concerning considered context course created creature culture deal define dependent Descartes destiny Earth effect encounter Enlightenment environment establish ethical example existence experience explored fact fear film future genre give hope human idea identity important individual interesting issues Kant kind knowledge live look Machine matter means mind nature never notion novel once ourselves particular past perhaps person philosopher physical planet possible potential present produced question reality reason referred regarded relating relationship religion religious represents science fiction seek seen sense significance simply social society space speaks Star Star Trek story theme theology things thought tradition true ultimately understanding utopia variety virtual whole writers
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | What If?: Religious Themes in Science Fiction |
| Author | Mike Alsford |
| Publisher | Darton, Longman & Todd, 2000 |
| Original from | the University of Michigan |
| Digitized | 27 Feb 2008 |
| ISBN | 0232523479, 9780232523478 |
| Length | 164 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |