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 45
Buber argues that we often wrongly seek to establish I - It relationships with other
people , casting them in the role of ... as being with God , that is to say human
being is always – like it or not , know it or not – in relationship with its creator .
Buber argues that we often wrongly seek to establish I - It relationships with other
people , casting them in the role of ... as being with God , that is to say human
being is always – like it or not , know it or not – in relationship with its creator .
Page 113
SF writers have had a great deal to say on this topic : by placing humanity within
a variety of situations and contexts they have sought to explore the relationship
between human beings and the places in which they live . Over - populated
urban ...
SF writers have had a great deal to say on this topic : by placing humanity within
a variety of situations and contexts they have sought to explore the relationship
between human beings and the places in which they live . Over - populated
urban ...
Page 125
It is through our essential relationship with space and place that we maintain our
continuity with past generations and with humanity in its widest sense . Many less
technologically orientated cultures , such as the Australian aborigines ...
It is through our essential relationship with space and place that we maintain our
continuity with past generations and with humanity in its widest sense . Many less
technologically orientated cultures , such as the Australian aborigines ...
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Contents
What Are | 31 |
Aliens | 49 |
Where Are We Going and How Do We | 82 |
Copyright | |
2 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
actually alien answer appear argues attempt become begins belief body central century Christian clearly concerning condition 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 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 universe 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 |