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 10
Descartes ' concern was to account for how mind and matter interact with each
other : how is it that our thoughts affect our ... First of all Descartes ' epistemology
prioritises mind over matter , thought over physical substance , and secondly , his
...
Descartes ' concern was to account for how mind and matter interact with each
other : how is it that our thoughts affect our ... First of all Descartes ' epistemology
prioritises mind over matter , thought over physical substance , and secondly , his
...
Page 33
And finally , considering that all the same thoughts that we have when we are
awake can also come to us when we are ... it followed necessarily that I who
thought thus must be something ; and observing that this : I think , therefore I am ,
was ...
And finally , considering that all the same thoughts that we have when we are
awake can also come to us when we are ... it followed necessarily that I who
thought thus must be something ; and observing that this : I think , therefore I am ,
was ...
Page 34
... and that , on the contrary , from the very fact that I thought of doubting the truth
of other things , it follows very evidently and very certainly that I existed ; while ,
on the other hand , if I had only ceased to think , although all the rest of what I had
...
... and that , on the contrary , from the very fact that I thought of doubting the truth
of other things , it follows very evidently and very certainly that I existed ; while ,
on the other hand , if I had only ceased to think , although all the rest of what I had
...
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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 |