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Philosophy in Science Fiction

By John Farrier in Book & Lit, Movies & SciFi on Nov 11, 2009 at 3:25 pm


Blogger Kenny Pearce is developing a bibliography of works of science fiction that are particularly noteworthy for expressing a philosophical worldview or premise. He presents several categories, such as Mind, Solipsism, and Sex and Gender. Some of the stories that he lists are available online, like Isaac Asimov’s “The Last Question” — a confrontation with entropy.

Pearce asks readers for suggestions. What would you add to the list?

Link | The Last Question | Image: NIH


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  1. pwscott
    Nov 11th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    I'm going to have to research this topic more before I can add anything to it. I've got a few source materials that need rereading. :^P

  2. KiloTango
    Nov 11th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    Grant Morrison's comic book 'The Invisibles' has a lot of interesting stuff in it, as does Jeff Noon's 'Vurt' and 'Pollen' novels.

  3. Johnny Cat
    Nov 11th, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    Foundation was a philosophical mind trip.

  4. ted
    Nov 11th, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    Science Fiction has always been speculative, so it's no wonder that philosophy plays a large role in many of the stories.

    Not sure what his intention is to categorize it. Seems a little pedantic. Have we run out of ideas for dissertations?

  5. Tara Wheeler
    Nov 11th, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    Doctor Who for it's 'mankind survives' philosophy.

    As the Ninth Doctor said in 'The End of the World':

    You lot. You spend all your time thinking about dying, like you're going to get killed by eggs, or beef, or global warming, or asteroids. But you never take time to imagine the impossible: that maybe you survive.

  6. Chad Cloman
    Nov 12th, 2009 at 4:27 am

    That blog hurt my eyes.

  7. hhype
    Nov 12th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    The question is almost trolling as I am certain that the more intelligent readers of Neatorama have opinions about philosophy and science fiction and perhsp have there own "list" and can easily Google or search Amazon to find that this has been done before.

    Tell me how this question from this particular eye-hurting blog is neater than something else that could have filled this space?

  8. barb665
    Nov 12th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    Ursula LeGuin's short story, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," on utilitarianism. First fifteen pages of Franz Kafka, "The Metamorphosis," on same body theory of personal identity. There are already a few anthologies on the subject: Science Fiction and Philosophy: From Time Travel to Superintelligence, Susan Schneider (Editor). Philosophy Through Science Fiction: A Coursebook with Readings by Ryan Nichols, Nicholas D. Smith, Fred Miller.

  9. evilbunnytoo
    Nov 14th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    I guess this is a short fiction list, but i have to say, Terry Pratchett (would not be sci-fi, but fantasy I guess) explores lots and lots of philosophical questions and is well known for exploring human nature and the nature of evil.

    In the sci-fi section, the book "The Gumshoe, the Witch, and the Virtual Corpse" explores the nature of religious identity and religious conflict in America. In particular, it explores religious tolerance and what precursors are necessary for religious tolerance in a democratic society.

  10. evilbunnytoo
    Nov 14th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Also who can forget Nancy Kress' novela "Beggars in Spain" which address the question of what those of us in society who are productive owe those who are not (the beggars in spain question).

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