Science Fiction as Critique of Science

Abstract

Science fiction is often used as a tool with which to think about actual science. While often this is depicted in terms of imaginary future potential, science fiction has also shown itself to be a poignant critique of existing science and a means of exploring our collective anxieties regarding the continued logic of current scientific development. This article explores the science fiction of organ transplantation, as mapped against scientific and medicolegal developments in actual organ transplantation. Explored through the lens of Adorno’s work on cultural criticism, it is argued that science fiction serves as a tool with which we address (and critique) the ethical boundaries (and fears, often colonial in nature) of actual organ transplantation. Science fiction works such as Larry Niven’s Known Space Universe and Repo! The Genetic Opera are examined, demonstrating that in critiquing the science of organ transplantation, fictionists ultimately come to examine changing cultural understandings of selfhood and embodiment.

Organizações produtivas: a interação homem-máquina em Black Mirror

“…Estudos acadêmicos sobre ficção científica mostram que esse gênero implica uma crítica pungente à ciência existente. Tais narrativas ficcionais podem ocupar um lugar crítico diante dos problemas lançados pela pesquisa científica contemporânea, divulgando e sugerindo, como no caso do buraco na camada de ozônio, medidas que precisam ser tomadas (Milner et al, 2015); pode possibilitar reflexões sobre anseios coletivos em relação ao transplante de órgãos (Chozinski, 2016), ou sobre a falta de ética e irresponsabilidade de algumas práticas científicas, em geral (Van Der Laan, 2010). No entanto, a ficção científica também pode desempenhar um papel significativo na aceitação e implementação de novidades como as nanotecnologias (Bowman et al, 2007); com a ressalva de que há cientistas que utilizam esse gênero ficcional, especialmente no cinema, como dispositivos promocionais para seus campos de pesquisa (Kirby, 2003).…”

Productive Organizations: The Human-Computer Interaction in Black Mirror

“…Academic studies on science fiction show that this genre implies a poignant critique of the existing science. Such fictional narratives can occupy a critical place in the face of problems launched by contemporary scientific research, disseminating and suggesting, as in the case of the hole in the ozone layer, measures that need to be taken (Milner et al, 2015); can make reflections about collective anxieties regarding organ transplantation possible (Chozinski, 2016), or the lack of ethics and irresponsibility of some scientific practices, in general (Van der Laan, 2010). However, science fiction can also play a significant role in the acceptance and implementation of novelties such as nanotechnologies (Bowman et al, 2007); with the caveat that there are scientists who use this fictional genre, especially in the movies, as promotional devices for their fields of research (Kirby, 2003).…”