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 4
... Ultimately , our being and identity can only come into true focus at the end of the process of becoming , in the same way that a story is only completely revealed once it has been told . Orientation towards the future is for Pannenberg ...
... Ultimately , our being and identity can only come into true focus at the end of the process of becoming , in the same way that a story is only completely revealed once it has been told . Orientation towards the future is for Pannenberg ...
Page 45
... process involves an opening of the self to others , to the world around us , to the future and ultimately to God . Egocentricity , on the other hand , is nothing less than sin , a denial of our The Primal Question : What Are We ? 45.
... process involves an opening of the self to others , to the world around us , to the future and ultimately to God . Egocentricity , on the other hand , is nothing less than sin , a denial of our The Primal Question : What Are We ? 45.
Page 143
... Ultimately we occupy places either alone or together and it seems to me that this is one of the most important decisions we need to make as we begin the new millennium . Conclusion What have we done ? What I have tried Where Do We ...
... Ultimately we occupy places either alone or together and it seems to me that this is one of the most important decisions we need to make as we begin the new millennium . Conclusion What have we done ? What I have tried Where Do We ...
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