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 93
... Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , there have been no shortage of national , international and extra - terrestrial vigilantes within the genre . Verne himself revisited the theme in his 1886 work The Clipper of the Clouds , in ...
... Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , there have been no shortage of national , international and extra - terrestrial vigilantes within the genre . Verne himself revisited the theme in his 1886 work The Clipper of the Clouds , in ...
Page 110
... limitless miracles at his command.29 As I write we are only a few months away from the beginning of the twenty - first century and the new millennium . While it is difficult to ascertain exactly why this is the case 110 WHAT IF ?
... limitless miracles at his command.29 As I write we are only a few months away from the beginning of the twenty - first century and the new millennium . While it is difficult to ascertain exactly why this is the case 110 WHAT IF ?
Page 164
... Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea 93 urban 3 , 21 , 113 , 126-7 , 135 , 137 utilitarianism 7 , 78 utopia 11 , 20 , 38 , 40 , 53 , 70 , 93 , 97 , 100-8 , 111 , 112 , 127 , 143 Verne , J. 16 , 93 virtual reality 15 , 118 , 139 , 143 ...
... Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea 93 urban 3 , 21 , 113 , 126-7 , 135 , 137 utilitarianism 7 , 78 utopia 11 , 20 , 38 , 40 , 53 , 70 , 93 , 97 , 100-8 , 111 , 112 , 127 , 143 Verne , J. 16 , 93 virtual reality 15 , 118 , 139 , 143 ...
Contents
What Are We? | 26 |
Aliens We | 49 |
Where Are We Going and How Do We | 82 |
Copyright | |
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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