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 28
In many ways the debates within SF concerning the nature of humanity echo
those within the Christian tradition . Theologians have always struggled with the
notion of humanness , whether it be in the context of trying to establish what
exactly ...
In many ways the debates within SF concerning the nature of humanity echo
those within the Christian tradition . Theologians have always struggled with the
notion of humanness , whether it be in the context of trying to establish what
exactly ...
Page 46
In the Christian 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
...
In the Christian 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
...
Page 77
Certainly the Judaeo - Christian 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 ...
Certainly the Judaeo - Christian 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 ...
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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
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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 |