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 26
Page 28
... tradition , attitudes to the body have been ambiguous , to say the least , and this has had a profound effect upon the tradition's ability to speak sensitively to issues of sexuality for example . Technology in SF thus functions as a ...
... tradition , attitudes to the body have been ambiguous , to say the least , and this has had a profound effect upon the tradition's ability to speak sensitively to issues of sexuality for example . Technology in SF thus functions as a ...
Page 46
... tradition this radical individualism is considered as alienation from the authentic destiny of man . When the highest value is no longer universal reason , but individual decision , radical autonomy has been often considered the peak of ...
... tradition this radical individualism is considered as alienation from the authentic destiny of man . When the highest value is no longer universal reason , but individual decision , radical autonomy has been often considered the peak of ...
Page 77
... tradition speaks of a higher authority in matters of ethics , violence is prohibited and , on one reading of the tradition at least , we are told that ' he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword ' . Part of the attraction of a ...
... tradition speaks of a higher authority in matters of ethics , violence is prohibited and , on one reading of the tradition at least , we are told that ' he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword ' . Part of the attraction of a ...
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 classic 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 means Merleau-Ponty mind modern motif movie Neuromancer 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 thought tradition ultimately understanding utopia virtual reality virtual world William Gibson Wolfhart Pannenberg world-view