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 102
Utopia The word utopia actually means ' no place ' in Greek – in that it intended to
speak of an unrealisable ideal – and was most famously used by Thomas More
in his 1516 publication of the same name . In this work More attempts to ...
Utopia The word utopia actually means ' no place ' in Greek – in that it intended to
speak of an unrealisable ideal – and was most famously used by Thomas More
in his 1516 publication of the same name . In this work More attempts to ...
Page 106
feminist utopia of parthenogenic women ( i . e . capable of reproduction without
fertilisation ) - the men having died out thousands of years ago . These women
live in a perfectly balanced classless society in which all the baser qualities ...
feminist utopia of parthenogenic women ( i . e . capable of reproduction without
fertilisation ) - the men having died out thousands of years ago . These women
live in a perfectly balanced classless society in which all the baser qualities ...
Page 112
Perhaps , on the other hand , it is the very attempt rather than any actual utopian
outcome that is important . ... 30 If this is the case then perhaps utopia is best
understood not in terms of a better place or a better time but rather of a better ...
Perhaps , on the other hand , it is the very attempt rather than any actual utopian
outcome that is important . ... 30 If this is the case then perhaps utopia is best
understood not in terms of a better place or a better time but rather of a better ...
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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 |