Noun

Singular science fiction

Plural uncountable

science fiction (uncountable)

1. Fiction in which advanced technology and/or science is a key element.

   Some purists consider motion pictures such as the Star Wars movies more as Westerns than science fiction.

2. Technology which, while theoretically possible, is not yet practical.

   Despite decades of research, mass-market personal aircraft are still science fiction.

Related terms

• fiction
• sci-fi
• scientifiction
• SF

Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with the impact of imagined innovations in science or technology, often in a futuristic setting. It differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation). Exploring the consequences of such differences is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas". Science fiction is largely based on writing rationally about alternative possibilities. The settings for science fiction are often contrary to known reality, but the majority of science fiction relies on a considerable degree of suspension of disbelief provided by potential scientific explanations to various fictional elements.

These may include:

• A setting in the future, in alternative timelines, or in an historical past that contradicts known facts of history or the archaeological record
• A setting in outer space, on other worlds, or involving aliens
• Stories that involve technology or scientific principles that contradict known laws of nature
• Stories that involve discovery or application of new scientific principles, such as time travel or psionics, or new technology, such as nanotechnology, faster-than-light travel or robots, or of new and different political or social systems (e.g., a dystopia, or a situation where organized society has collapsed)

Science fiction is a genre of fiction. It differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically-established or scientifically-postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation). Exploring the consequences of such differences is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas".^[1] Science fiction is largely based on writing entertainingly and rationally about alternate possibilities^[2] in settings that are contrary to known reality.

Contents

• 1 Sourced
• 2 See also
• 3 Notes
• 4 External Links

Sourced

• We hope it will not be long before we may have other works of Science-Fiction [like Richard Henry Horne’s ‘‘The Poor Artist’’], as we believe such books likely to fulfil a good purpose, and create an interest, where, unhappily, science alone might fail. [Thomas] Campbell says, that ‘‘Fiction in Poetry is not the reverse of truth, but her soft and enchanting resemblance.’’ Now this applies especially to Science-Fiction, in which the revealed truths of Science may be given, interwoven with a pleasing story which may itself be poetical and true—thus circulating a knowledge of the Poetry of Science, clothed in a garb of the Poetry of life.
  • A Little Earnest Book upon a Great Old Subject by William Wilson, 1851.
  • This is the first recorded use of the term science fiction in history.^[3]

From Wikiquote under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Mon Sep 6 13:27:25 2010