How to Live Forever: Science Fiction and Philosophy

by Clark; Stephen R L

• ISBN13: 9780415126267
• ISBN10: 0415126266
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1995-12-12
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Immortality has long preoccupied everyone from alchemists to science fiction writers. In this intriguing investigation, Stephen Clark contends that the genre of science fiction writing enables the investigation of philosophical questions about immortality without the constraints of academic philosophy. He shows how fantasy accounts of phenomena such as resurrection, outer body experience, reincarnation or life extending medicines can be related to philosophy in interesting ways. Reading Western myths such as that of vampire, he examines the ways fear and hopes of immortality are an intrinsic part of Western culture and philosophy. As one of the first works to suggest the use of science fiction in the study of philosophy, Clark creates a ground for intellectual, philosophical and experimental inquiry.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction	p. 1
The end of summer	p. 10
The age of the pussyfoot	p. 24
Neuromancer	p. 39
The empire of fear	p. 53
Sailing to Byzantium	p. 68
The philosopher's stone	p. 80
Bridge of ashes	p. 96
To your scattered bodies go	p. 110
Superluminal	p. 125
A fish dinner in Memison	p. 136
Childhood's end	p. 153
The big time	p. 166
The triumph of time	p. 180
Notes	p. 187
Bibliography	p. 200
Index	p. 212
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