Mythology, religion, fiction and science offer different versions of this dream. Draws on a broad range of books, films and television series, including the matrix. I think its a great starting point in philosophy and would strongly consider using it as text if i were ever teaching an entrylevel philosophy class. Hopefully, this volume will find its way into the hands of those who wish to discover something about the highly technological worldview and horizon of meaning of our current epoch. Reviews must be of books on science fiction and philosophy. Science fiction as philosophy, professor of philosophy david kyle johnson, of kings college, takes you on a 24lecture exploration of the final frontiers of philosophy across several decades of science fiction in film and television. Science fiction and philosophy and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. A timely volume that uses science fiction as a springboard to meaningful philosophical discussions, especially at points of contact between science fiction and.
Brave new world by aldous huxley this book anticipates modern. The term science fiction was popularized, if not invented, in the 1920s by one of the genres principal advocates, the american publisher hugo gernsback. I suggest you sample one book of your choice from each section. A great scifi book with heavy philosophical content. Featuring numerous updates and enhancements, science fiction and philosophy, 2nd edition, presents a collection of readings that utilize concepts developed from science fiction to explore a. Well regularly update it to reflect new science book releases so feel free to check back. One of the things that philosophy and science fiction. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Buy a cheap copy of science fiction and philosophy. The intersection of science fiction and philosophy. The philosophy of science fiction film steven sanders.
Weve based our recommendations on the best popular science books and the best hard science books. The science fiction in this book is good, the philosophy isnt bad, but the length and depth of the some of the articles can become dull and boring and seems to drag on forever. The specificity of the possibilities considered, and its emotional and imagistic power, engages parts of the mind that more abstract forms of speculation leave hungry. People use science fiction to illustrate philosophy all the time. See how science fiction allows us to consider immense, vitaland sometimes controversialideas with a rare combination of engagement and. Science fiction and philosophy brings two areas together and into a dialogue. A syllabus and book list for novice students of science. From time travel to superintelligence 9781405149075. From time travel to superintelligence 0001118922611. Jun 03, 2010 a timely volume that uses science fiction as a springboard to meaningful philosophical discussions, especially at points of contact between science fiction and new scientific developments.
The chapter discusses nick bostroms recent book on superintelligence, which focuses on the genesis of sai on earth. Philosophy through science fiction issue 80 philosophy now. All formats available for pc, mac, ebook readers and other mobile devices. Pick something that fascinates you and jump right in. Alien minds science fiction and philosophy wiley online. Jan 10, 2020 uses science fiction to address a series of classic and contemporary philosophical issues, including many raised by recent scientific developments. The paperback of the science fiction and philosophy. Science fiction, abbreviation sf or scifi, a form of fiction that deals principally with the impact of actual or imagined science upon society or individuals. Based on my list of the 105 best philosophical novels, here are the best philosophical science fiction novels. Along the way, it has also become one of the major lenses we use to explore important philosophical questions. Starship troopers is a military science fiction novel by american writer robert a. I would say read at your own peril, as the thought experiments as presented are interesting, but can get long in the tooth. A timely volume that uses science fiction as a sprin. Dick explores the deep affinity between two seemingly quite different thinkers, in their attempts to address the need for salvation in and from an era of accelerated mechanization, in which humans capacity for destroying or subjugating the living has attained a planetary scale.
A timely volume that uses science fiction as a springboard to meaningful philosophical discussions, especially at points of contact between science fiction and new. Science fiction can be a great vehicle for exploring philosophical ideas. The science fiction genre maintains a remarkable hold on the imagination and enthusiasm of the filmgoing public, captivating large audiences worldwide and garnering everlarger profits. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required.
And science fiction or speculative fiction has a special philosophical value that is insufficiently appreciated by mainstream philosophers. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Philosophical sf science fiction speculative fiction. From ethical quandaries to the very nature of existence, science fictions most famous texts are tailormade for exploring. Mentally stimulating and emotionally complex, philosophically driven scifi. The philosophy of science fiction film, 2008 online. Books philosophy through science fiction liz stillwaggon swan thinks through sci fi as a philosophy teacher, i frequently find myself devoting quite a bit of time and energy, especially in my introductory courses, to getting students to understand that philosophy is a different sort of intellectual activity which will require of them a new kind of thinking. Science fiction and philosophy deals with science fictional thought experiments and their long history in philosophy, with roots back to the mythological inventions of ancient philosophers such as.
What i like about it is that moore incorporates so many different philosophical viewpoints in a book that isnt even that long. From time travel to superintelligence, second edition. The concept of fiction gives rise to a number of intriguing and complex philosophical issues, and the philosophy of fiction has now become an acknowledged part of mainstream philosophy, with a history that goes back at least to the early debates about the role of poets and dramatists found in the works of aristotle and plato. What are some profoundly philosophical science fiction novels. Philosophy science fiction books for sale in stock ebay. Jan 08, 2016 featuring numerous updates and enhancements, science fiction and philosophy, 2nd edition, presents a collection of readings that utilize concepts developed from science fiction to explore a variety of classic and contemporary philosophical issues. Philosophical fiction works would include the socalled novel of ideas, including some science fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, and the bildungsroman. Featuring numerous updates and enhancements, science fiction and philosophy, 2nd edition, presents a collection of readings that utilize concepts developed from science fiction to explore a variety of classic and contemporary philosophical issues. May 09, 2019 but emotionally engaging fiction can be philosophy too.
Too like the lightning by ada palmer ada palmers dizzying debut novel is dense and complex, packed with philosophy and visions of what life might be like in the year 2424. A timely volume that uses science fiction as a springboard to meaningful philosophical discussions, especially at points of. About this book featuring numerous updates and enhancements, science fiction and philosophy, 2nd edition, presents a collection of readings that utilize concepts developed from science fiction to explore a variety of classic and contemporary philosophical issues. Explores questions relating to transhumanism, brain enhancement, time travel, the nature of the self, and the ethics of artificial intelligence. The science fiction genre has become increasingly influential in mainstream popular culture, evolving into one of the most engaging storytelling tools we use to think about technology and consider the shape of the future. Science fiction where the focus, extrapolation, core interest is one of the soft sciences, social, anthropological, rather than natural sciences, physics, chemistry, biology.
A syllabus and book list for novice students of science fiction literature. Sanders and a group of outstanding scholars in philosophy, film studies, and other fields raise science fiction film criticism to a new level by penetrating the surface of the films to expose the underlying philosophical arguments, ethical perspectives, and metaphysical views. Because there is some catching up to do, there is not at present a limitation on how new a publication should be. From bigbudget blockbusters to television series featuring aliens in rubber masks, professor.
Sep 08, 2014 im increasingly convinced that science fiction, or more broadly, speculative fiction is a powerful philosophical tool. The philosophy of science fiction film explores the storylines, conflicts, and themes of fifteen science fiction film classics, from metropolis to the matrix. I am inspired to write this after having organized and chaired a session on science fiction as philosophy at the sfwa nebula conference last weekend. There is lots to choose from and hours of fun reading ahead. Apr 24, 2009 science fiction and philosophy brings two areas together and into a dialogue.
1466 527 1309 1498 1546 1150 1474 1272 262 633 912 12 1201 1099 715 230 1469 137 279 840 201 501 705 1606 755 83 409 1010 775 109 210 172 1399 1022 1154 336 978 1081