cover of Philosophy Through Science Fiction: A Coursebook with Readings

Philosophy Through Science Fiction

A Coursebook with Readings

By Ryan Nichols, Nicholas D. Smith, Fred Miller

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About the Book

Philosophy Through Science Fiction offers a fun, challenging, and accessible way in to the issues of philosophy through the genre of science fiction. Tackling problems such as the possibility of time travel, or what makes someone the same person over time, the authors take a four-pronged approach to each issue, providing

· a clear and concise introduction to each subject

· a science fiction story that exemplifies a feature of the philosophical discussion

· historical and contemporary philosophical texts that investigate the issue with rigor, and

· glossary, plot profiles of pertinent science fiction stories and films, and questions for further reflection.

Philosophy Through Science Fiction includes stories from contemporary science fiction writers including Greg Egan and Mike Resnick, as well as from classic authors like Philip K. Dick and Robert Heinlein. Philosophy readings include historical pieces by René Descartes and David Hume, and contemporary pieces by John Searle and Mary Midgley.

Table of Contents

What is Philosophy?

Philosophical Method and Philosophical Disagreement:

How should we reason philosophically?

Are philosophical statements true in the way that statements of personal preference are true?

Knowledge and Skepticism:

What is knowledge? Skepticism?

What is it to have a justified belief?

Can we prove we are not running a simulation?

Religion and Belief in God:

Is the concept of an all-powerful God coherent?

Does God exist, since there is so much evil in the world?

Is it rational to believe in God?

Spacetime and Time Travel:

What is time? Spacetime?

How might we travel through it?

Mind

What does the mind do?

Is the mind made of matter or is the mind the soul?

What is consciousness? Intentionality?

Personal Identity

Who am I?

What is the identity relation?

What makes me the same person over time?

Free Will

What is free will?

If I have free will, must I have the ability to do otherwise?

Do I have free will, or is determinism true? Or, do I both have free will and determinism is true?

About the Author(s)

Ryan Nichols is Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton.

Nicholas D. Smith is Professor of Philosophy at Lewis and Clark College.

Fred Miller is Professor of Philosophy and the Executive Director of the Social Philosophy and Policy Center at Bowling Green State University, Ohio.