Thought provoking stuff

Although I don’t agree with a few areas i think the course is entertaining and covers a broad range of both sci and phi! I would recommend even if it’s only to challenge both your own and the author’s views. I’ve seen almost all of the films discussed and this some insights I hadn’t considered when watching before. The author acknowledges a lot of material that isn’t covered and it would be good to have a follow up or see him discuss/debate some of these.

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Geekfest of Sci-fi and Philosophy

If you love sci-fi and have even a passing interest in philosophy, then this in one not to be missed. Using classic sci-fi movies as a launchpad for philosophical ideas it boldly goes… you get the picture! Listen and enjoy.

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Definitely worth listening to

I really enjoyed this course. Anyone interested in philosophy and science fiction should listen to this. I would point out To the author that the many worlds theory of quantum mechanics doesn’t involve universes being “created” at the branch points, any more than a universe could be “created’ by an observation. Also unfair to Matt Ridley and Luke warmers who recognise that only economic wealth can ultimately solve our climate change problems.

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I am not alone!

It was wonderful to hear someone as enthusiastic about sci fi as myself, discussing my favourite films. Learning more about the philosophical messages behind those films was a massive bonus. 2001 was the cherry on the cake as I was a child when I saw it and did not fully appreciate its complexity. Most of my friends don't 'get' or like sci fi so for me the course felt like home!

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Loved it. I will be revisiting it again I'm sure

I have always loved sci fi particularly because good sci fi pushes philosophical boundaries and ideas. This book is brilliant. For me, it expanded on ideas I have previously considered and provided me with many more that I hadn't. Great narration to boot. Fully recommend to anyone who likes philosophy, sci fi or movies. Don't feel you have to be a sci fi geek to like this book.

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Fabulous course

Full of memorable moments that made me think again about many of my cherished sci fi experiences.

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A new dimension

A great introduction to philosophy using Scifi as a backdrop, sometimes there's a little bit of over thinking but apparently that's just my epistemological perspective 🌝. I recommend it to Scifi buffs looking for a different perspective on some the classics. One of the takeaways for me was an understanding of the value of philosophy, I had thought it was just old men talking too much, memorable moment, the discussion on simulated worlds.

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Fantastic!.

The best course so far! Wasn't too sure at the beginning as I expected it to deal with what I think are the most philosophical sci-fi books: Dune, The Hitchhiker's trilogy and Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles. But I realised why the prof focuses on films only.. It's more practical. I haven't seen most of the films mentioned but still enjoyed it immensely, and the last third is just fabulous. Going to seek his other stuff!.

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Superb whistle-stop tour of Sci-Fi & Philosophy

Thoroughly enjoyed this vast in scope survey which highlights the value of science fiction and importance of philosophy.

Clevery structured and peppered with fascinating insights and humerous, thought-provoking anecdotes throughout. A must-listen for fans of Dr. Who and Star Trek!

As Dr Spock famously said:
"Logic is the beginning of Wisdom... not the end!"

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Good fun and makes you think

If you've ever been watching Star Trek or reading Robert Heinlein and thought to yourself that sci-fi is philosophy for the modern era, this course is for you. Professor Johnson very professionally and expertly takes us through a range of philosophical concepts and uses well-know sci-fi films or TV series to illustrate and describe them. I particularly liked the lectures about 'how do we know we're not living in a simulation', the one about the movie 'Contact', and the one which made you ask whether the Empire or the Rebels in Star Wars are really the bad guys.There were places I got a bit lost and where I felt the philosophy could have been made a little more accessible, and a couple of places where I found it a little less convincing - including the bits where the boundaries between philosophy and science became a little blurred. And while I was familiar with most of the films and TV referenced, you may find it more challenging to engage with the philosophy content if you don't know sci-fi movies well and aren't prepared to watch a lot of them (as instructed by Professor Johnson)! One final gripe is that there were also rather too many references to Dr. Who for my liking! But overall this is great value and really thought provoking.

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