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Religion in Science Fiction

Product Image: Religion in Science Fiction

Religion in Science Fiction

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Description
Religion in Science Fiction investigates the history of the representations of religion in science fiction literature. Space travel, futuristic societies, and non-human cultures are traditional themes in science fiction. Speculating on the societal impacts of as-yet-undiscovered technologies is, after all, one of the distinguishing characteristics of science fiction literature. A more surprising theme may be a parallel exploration of religion: its institutional nature, social functions, and the tensions between religious and scientific worldviews. Steven Hrotic investigates the representations of religion in 19th century proto-science fiction, and genre science fiction from the 1920s through the end of the century. Taken together, he argues that these stories tell an overarching story-a 'metanarrative'-of an evolving respect for religion, paralleling a decline in the belief that science will lead us to an ideal (and religion-free) future. Science fiction's metanarrative represents more than simply a shift in popular perceptions of religion: it also serves as a model for cognitive anthropology, providing new insights into how groups and identities form in a globalized world, and into how crucial a role narratives may play. Ironically, this same perspective suggests that science fiction, as it was in the 20th century, may no longer exist.
Product details
Binding:
Paperback
Edition:
1
Number of Pages:
236
Release Date:
2016-01-28
Publication Date:
2016-01-28
Publisher:
Bloomsbury 3PL
Languages:
Original: English
ISBN10:
1474273173
ISBN13:
9781474273176
GPSR Manufacturer Reference:
Weight:
365 g
Height:
156 cm
Width:
234 cm
Thickness:
13 cm
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