Science Fiction, Artificial Life and Posthumanism.

Abstract

This thesis investigates the way artificial life in science fiction is used to explore what it means to be human and to determine the value of life, because many science fiction novels feature artificial life for that purpose. It seems there is a need for these authors to not only explore humanity and the worth of life, but also the effect of advanced technology, such as artificial life, on humans and their behaviour. Most of the times these stories express a certain anxiety humans have about technology and that there is no need for that anxiety. Important themes that contribute to these notions are identity, empathy and the self-destructive nature of humans, because they are all used to reveal something about humanity and what it means to be human. This thesis also includes a piece of original fiction, which incorporates some of the themes mentioned and to illustrate how and to what end those themes are incorporated.