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Cosmic Horror and the Philosophical Origins of Science Fiction | Cambridge University Press
(lemmy.world)
Summary:
- The article discusses the experience of cosmic horror
- It traces the evolution of astronomical thought from geocentrism to heliocentrism, highlighting figures like Kant and Giordano Bruno, who recognized the implications of an infinite universe.
- Early works of science fiction, such as Fontenelle's Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds, illustrate how philosophical dialogues about the cosmos helped to confront cosmic horror, transforming dread into curiosity and wonder.
- The article emphasizes that both telescopes and microscopes inspired science fiction by revealing vast and tiny worlds, leading to reflections on humanity's position in nature.
- The genre is portrayed as a means to explore political and social possibilities, offering a way to envision different futures and cope with the anxieties of modern existence.
Blaise Pascal, Thoughts (Reference Pascal and Ariew1670)
