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 5
It is the broader arena of the human condition in general that forms the common
ground between theology and science fiction . Since the nineteenth century much
of the focus for contemporary theological inquiry has been on the human ...
It is the broader arena of the human condition in general that forms the common
ground between theology and science fiction . Since the nineteenth century much
of the focus for contemporary theological inquiry has been on the human ...
Page 47
What we are and our ability to address the question is , in my view , a subject
common to theology , philosophy and SF . One of the most compelling reasons
for a theological consideration of SF is that SF concerns itself with issues that lie
at ...
What we are and our ability to address the question is , in my view , a subject
common to theology , philosophy and SF . One of the most compelling reasons
for a theological consideration of SF is that SF concerns itself with issues that lie
at ...
Page 48
Theology always includes the imagination , fantasy for God and his kingdom . If
we were to ban the images of the imagination from theology , we should be
robbing it of its best possession . Eschatologically orientated theology is
dependent on ...
Theology always includes the imagination , fantasy for God and his kingdom . If
we were to ban the images of the imagination from theology , we should be
robbing it of its best possession . Eschatologically orientated theology is
dependent on ...
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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 |