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 17
... writers explored the hopes and fears bound up in these new technologies . Electricity , transistors , nuclear energy , microchips and genetic engineering sooner were these marvels of the modern age suggested by the scientific community ...
... writers explored the hopes and fears bound up in these new technologies . Electricity , transistors , nuclear energy , microchips and genetic engineering sooner were these marvels of the modern age suggested by the scientific community ...
Page 22
... Writers such as William Gibson , Neal Stephenson and Pat Cadigan portray such ideas as genetic engineering , artificial body parts , virtual worlds and cybernetic interfaces as everyday background . While we must speak of them as ...
... Writers such as William Gibson , Neal Stephenson and Pat Cadigan portray such ideas as genetic engineering , artificial body parts , virtual worlds and cybernetic interfaces as everyday background . While we must speak of them as ...
Page 25
... writers see themselves as trying to prevent the future by showing us what may be if we continue as we are . Some , on the other hand , wish to help usher in a future in which the curses of a disappointed god and the intractability of ...
... writers see themselves as trying to prevent the future by showing us what may be if we continue as we are . Some , on the other hand , wish to help usher in a future in which the curses of a disappointed god and the intractability of ...
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