A Case of Conscience
James Blish · 1958 · Novel
It bridged science fiction with theological ethics, exploring the moral and religious implications of encountering an alien species with a seemingly perfect, yet potentially corrupting, society.
What it is
A Jesuit priest on an exploratory mission to an alien planet discovers a seemingly utopian society, but questions its origins and moral implications. It explores the conflict between science and religion, and the nature of good and evil.
↑Inherited from(2)
Blish directly engages with the philosophical and ethical implications of encountering alien civilizations, building upon earlier works like H.G. Wells' 'The First Men in the Moon' that used alien societies to critique human values.
Blish directly engages with the philosophical and ethical implications of encountering alien civilizations, building upon earlier works like Ray Bradbury's 'The Martian Chronicles' that used alien societies to critique human values, but adding a specific theological dimension.