DeepSummary
In this episode, Robert Charles Wilson, a science fiction author, discusses his book 'Owning the Unknown' which explores atheism, agnosticism, and the idea of God through the lens of science fiction. Wilson explains how his interest in these topics developed from his childhood fascination with the changing nature of the world and how science fiction allowed him to explore ideas without defending any particular ideological stance.
Wilson discusses the relationship between science fiction and religion, highlighting works like 'Foundation', 'Childhood's End', and the writings of authors like Philip K. Dick that dealt with religious and supernatural themes. He emphasizes that while science fiction has played with unconventional ideas, it has done so in a speculative manner, without necessarily defending or committing to those ideas.
The conversation also touches on the parallels between science fiction writers and theologians, the possibility of technological immortality, and the importance of maintaining epistemic humility and skepticism when engaging with metaphysical beliefs. Wilson argues that while people are entitled to cherished beliefs, those beliefs cannot be used to dismiss evidence in matters that can be decided evidentially.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Robert Charles Wilson's book 'Owning the Unknown' explores atheism, agnosticism, and the idea of God through the lens of science fiction.
- Wilson emphasizes the importance of maintaining epistemic humility and basing beliefs on available knowledge, rather than committing to metaphysical beliefs without evidence.
- Science fiction has explored religious and supernatural themes, but often in a speculative manner without necessarily defending or committing to those ideas.
- Wilson argues that while people are entitled to cherished beliefs, those beliefs cannot be used to dismiss evidence in matters that can be decided evidentially.
- The conversation touches on the parallels between science fiction writers and theologians, as well as the possibility of technological immortality.
- Wilson highlights the value of skepticism, which has allowed him to explore ideas without fully investing in them.
- The discussion underscores the importance of not insulating oneself from evidence and surrounding oneself with like-minded beliefs, as it can lead to the embrace of increasingly implausible ideas.
- Wilson emphasizes the need for epistemic humility and acknowledges that while materialism may describe the observable universe, it does not necessarily encompass all of reality.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Once we acknowledge that that question is unanswered and perhaps unanswerable, however interesting it may be, then we have to ask ourselves another question, which is, is it reasonable for me, situated as I am, with the knowledge available to me, to believe in the existence of God? And to that, my answer was no.“ by Robert Charles Wilson
- “We're bounded on all sides by wonder, as HG Wells once said, north, south, east and west. So, yeah, I like putting my characters in that position where they're confronted with something they don't understand, perhaps more powerful than they are.“ by Robert Charles Wilson
- “I wanted to make it very clear when I was talking about the observable universe. We can say that materialism gives us a good description of the observable universe without implying that it's a description of all reality at all times in all places, no matter how ontologically remote or cosmologically distanced from us.“ by Robert Charles Wilson
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Episode Information
Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast
David Barr Kirtley
7/1/24