Philosophy Through Science Fiction Stories

Eric Schwitzgebel 

Helen De Cruz, Johan De Smedt, and Eric Schwitzgebel, eds.. Bloomsbury (forthcoming).

pre-order here.

Bringing together short stories by award-winning contemporary science fiction authors and philosophers, this book covers a wide range of philosophical ideas from ethics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics.

-------------------------------------------------------

Alongside a general introduction placing fiction in a philosophical context, you will find end of story notes contextualizing individual stories within broader philosophical themes. Organised thematically, each story addresses fundamental philosophical questions such as:

  • What does it means to be human?
  • What is consciousness?
  • What makes a life worthwhile?
  • What political systems are best?

    • By making complex ideas easily accessible, this unique reader allows you to engage with philosophical ideas in entertaining new ways and is an ideal entry point for anyone interested in using fiction to better understand philosophy.

    -------------------------------------------------------

    Table of contents

    Acknowledgments

    "Introductory Dispute Concerning Science Fiction, Philosophy, and the Nutritional Content of Maraschino Cherries," Helen De Cruz, Johan De Smedt, and Eric Schwitzgebel

    Part I: Expanding the Human
    Introduction to Part I, Eric Schwitzgebel

  • 1. Excerpt from Theuth, an Oral History of Work in the Age of Machine-Assisted Cognition, Ken Liu
  • 2. Adjoiners, Lisa Schoenberg
  • 3. The Intended, David John Baker
  • 4. The New Book of the Dead, Sofia Samatar

    • Part II: What We Owe to Ourselves and Others
    Introduction to Part II, Johan De Smedt

  • 5. Out of the Dragon's Womb, Aliette de Bodard
  • 6. Whale Fall, Wendy Nikel
  • 7. Monsters and Soldiers, Mark Silcox

    • Part III: Gods and Families
    Introduction to Part III, Helen De Cruz

  • 8. I, Player in a Demon Tale, Hud Hudson
  • 9. The Eye of the Needle, Frances Howard-Snyder
  • 10. God on a Bad Night, Christopher Mark Rose
  • 11. Hell Is the Absence of God, Ted Chiang

    • List of Contributors
    Index

    -------------------------------------------------------

    READ A DRAFT of "Introductory Dispute Concerning Science Fiction, Philosophy, and the Nutritional Content of Maraschino Cherries" (comments welcome through about mid-2020).

    By following either of the links below, you are requesting a copy for personal use only, in accord with "fair use" laws.

    Click here to view the manuscript version of this document as a PDF file: Introductory Dispute Concerning Science Fiction, Philosophy, and the Nutritional Content of Maraschino Cherries (pdf, May 15, 2020).

    Or here to view the manuscript version of this document as an HTM file: Introductory Dispute Concerning Science Fiction, Philosophy, and the Nutritional Content of Maraschino Cherries (html, May 15, 2020).

    Or email eschwitz at domain: ucr.edu for a copy of this paper and/or data tables.

    Return to Eric Schwitzgebel's homepage.