Science Fiction Literature as Thought Experiment: An Ethical Analysis of Michael Crichton’s Prey

Year 2022, Issue: 57, 27 - 51, 14.06.2023

Firuze Güzel

Abstract

Science fiction literature, a product of unlimited imagination,
often contains several philosophical issues related to ethics within
its narratives. Science fiction works, which sometimes function as a
thought experiment, provide examples of how humanity may react in
various situations with a controlled scenario. Michael Crichton’s novel
Prey (2002) is one of such works. Crichton’s novel, which warns the
reader about the probable dangers of irresponsible use of technology
with a striking scenario, essentially functions as a thought experiment.
This article aims to reveal the relationship and similarity between
philosophical thought experiments and science fiction literature. In
this context, Prey will be analyzed in terms of ethical theories, and
how ethics becomes the subject of science fiction literature will be
elaborated.

Keywords

: Thought Experiment, Science Fiction Literature, Ethics, Ethical Analysis

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