How to live forever [[electronic resource] ] : science fiction and philosophy / / Stephen R. L. Clark

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910449997803321
• Autore: Clark Stephen R. L
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: London ; ; New York, : Routledge, 1995
• ISBN: 1-134-80007-X; 1-281-13449-X; 9786611134495; 0-203-00442-6
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (427 p.)
• Disciplina: 809.3/87620938
• Soggetti: Literature - Philosophy; Science fiction - History and criticism; Immortality in literature; Electronic books.
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Description based upon print version of record.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references (p. [200]-211) and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Contents; Acknowledgements; Introduction; A PERSONAL BEGINNING; SCIENCE FICTION AND PHILOSOPHY; PHILOSOPHY AND IMMORTALITY; Chapter 1 The end of summer; REASONS NOT TO WANT TO LIVE FOREVER; REASONS FOR WISHING TO LIVE FOREVER; VARIETIES OF IMMORTALITY; Chapter 2 The age of the pussyfoot; BODILY RENEWALS AND REJUVENATIONS; PROBLEMS WITH BODILY CONTINUITY; PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEMS; Chapter 3 Neuromancer; UPLOADING MEMORIES; REASONS TO FORSAKE THE FLESH; REASONS TO DISLIKE OR DISBELIEVE THE PROSPECT; Chapter 4 The empire of fear; WANTING TO BE A VAMPIRE; REASONS TO KEEP PEOPLE AFRAID OF DEATH; SUBMISSIONALLEGORY OF SELFHOOD; Chapter 5 Sailing to Byzantium; ANOTHER WAY OF SEEING; THE VALUES OF IMPERMANENCE; PERMANENT VALUES; IMMORTAL ARTEFACTS AND US; Chapter 6 The philosopher's stone; TIMELESS, IMPERISHABLE STONES; FAME AND INDIVIDUAL INFLUENCE; FORMS AND RULING PASSIONS; REASON AND THE FUTURE; REAL SELVES; Chapter 7 Bridge of ashes; ETERNAL RETURNS; IMPORTANT PURPOSES; OUR OWN PLANS; IMAGING ; SOMETHING BEYOND ULRO; Chapter 8 To your scattered bodies go; RESURRECTION WORLD; NEEDING ONE PARTICULAR BODY; MINDS FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE; ENERGY BEINGS; THE OTHER WORLD; Chapter 9 Superluminal; TRAVEL INTO OTHER WORLDSTHE LAND OF THE DEAD; GOING DOWN TO HELL; PHILOSOPHICAL MORALS; Chapter 10 A fish dinner in Memison; WAKING FROM THE DREAM OF LIFE; ANTI-CARTESIAN DREAMS; THE GAME OF CONSEQUENCES; ARGUMENTS FOR THINKING WE ARE ASLEEP; TRUE LANGUAGES, REAL WORLDS; WHAT SORT OF WAKING WORLD?; Chapter 11 Childhood's end; IMAGINED OVERMINDS; THE COMMUNITY OF ALL THE HOLY ONES; AGAINST A MODERNIST RELIGION; Chapter 12 The big time; MAKING THINGS NEVER TO HAVE BEEN; TRANSCENDING TIME; MILLENNIUM; Chapter 13 The triumph of time; ENDINGS; ENVOI; Notes; Bibliography; SCIENCE FICTION; POETRY; OTHER WORKSIndex
• Sommario/riassunto: Immortality is a subject which has long been explored and imagined by science fiction writers. In his intriguing new study, Stephen R.L.Clark argues that the genre of science fiction writing allows investigation of philosophical questions about immortality without the constraints of academic philosophy. He reveals how fantasy accounts of issues such as resurrection, disembodied survival, reincarnation and devices or drugs for preserving life can be used as an important resource for philosophical inquiry and examines how a society of immortals might function through a reading of the vampire myt