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
Results 1-3 of 41
Page 66
It is in the nature of 'things' to be conditioned, dependent upon the laws of nature
and thus to be ultimately of relative value. Rational beings, on the other hand, by
virtue of their unconditioned nature, their free will, as ends and not merely ...
It is in the nature of 'things' to be conditioned, dependent upon the laws of nature
and thus to be ultimately of relative value. Rational beings, on the other hand, by
virtue of their unconditioned nature, their free will, as ends and not merely ...
Page 84
In the Hebrew Scriptures the book of Job is, at least in part, an attempt to explore
the effect of an apparent breakdown in the order of things. Job, it would appear,
having been a godly man, finds it impossible, as do his friends, to understand ...
In the Hebrew Scriptures the book of Job is, at least in part, an attempt to explore
the effect of an apparent breakdown in the order of things. Job, it would appear,
having been a godly man, finds it impossible, as do his friends, to understand ...
Page 142
They can build buildings, parks, signs, as well as things that do not exist in
Reality . . . The only difference is that the Street does not really exist - it's just a
computer-graphics protocol written down on a piece of paper somewhere - none
of these ...
They can build buildings, parks, signs, as well as things that do not exist in
Reality . . . The only difference is that the Street does not really exist - it's just a
computer-graphics protocol written down on a piece of paper somewhere - none
of these ...
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Contents
What Are We? | 26 |
Aliens We | 49 |
Where Are We Going and How Do We | 82 |
Copyright | |
1 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
Aldiss alien android argues Arrakis attempt Augustine become Blade Runner body Borg Brian Aldiss century Christian 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 Matrix means Merleau-Ponty mind motif movie Neuromancer notion of human 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 tradition ultimately understanding utopia virtual reality virtual world William Gibson Wolfhart Pannenberg world-view
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 |