WK 8 - Science-Fiction II

According to McKee (2004), what relationship did Dick’s ideas have to (a) Christianity (b) religion and philosophy in general?

PK Dick’s work was often seen as gnostic or insightful and McKee identifies religious themes in PK Dicks work from an array of literature as opposed to just religion studies. Using ideas from both religious and philosophical ideas Dick pulled together his own works.

Dick was a pronounced Anglo Catholic and was a member of the church, and McKee identifies him as being an expert on the bible. “Dick consistently returned to Christian theology and Greek Philosophy for most of his serious interpretations” (McKee, 2004).

Apart from Catholicism, Dick also drew inspiration for his work from other religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, Hindi and least we forget, I Ching. This shows that Dick has both interest and knowledge of all religious philosophies not just the one he was raised in. McKee (2004), states that The Man in the High Castle has deep roots in both philosophy and religion.

REFERENCES

McKee, Gabriel (2004). A Scanner Darkly: Dick as a Christian theologian. In Pink Beams of Light from the God in the Gutter: the science-fictional religion of Philip K. Dick. NY: U Press of America.

WK 7 - Sci Fi 1

What does Brown (2001) identify as the central themes and concerns of the novel?

As pages viii & viiii appear to be missing from Brown’s (2001) Introduction supplied in the Critical Reader file, I have taken what I can from the available words.

I have found that PKD explored, like in much of his work, metaphysics, ideas of reality (a hoax?) and morals, and domination within societies. As with most sci-fi writers Dick has placed ordinary people in extraordinary environments and left the audience/reader/viewer with no conclusions or reconciliations, wondering about the fate of both the characters, and their own realities.

“Can anyone alter fate? All of us combined...or one great figure...or someone strategically placed, who happens to be in the right spot. Chance. Accident. And our lives, our world, hanging on it.”

PKD did not delve into the traditional sci-fi themes of mad scientists and alien giants, instead he developed the literary finesse and psychological depth of this genre and heightened social awareness.

“Perhaps if you know you are insane then you are not insane.”

(a personal favorite quote of mine!)

REFERENCES

Brown, E. (2001). Introduction. In Dick, P.K., The Man in the High Castle (p.v-xii). London: Penguin.

Dick, P.K. (2001; 1962). The Man in the High Castle.London: Penguin.