what is science fiction?

We all know what science fiction is, right? Its Star Trek, Star Wars, and Doctor Who. Its spaceships, and aliens; time travel, and alternate history; galactic empires, and dystopias, but how do you define such a far reaching genre that has tentacles stretching into every other genre?

If you ask for a specific definition of science fiction, you soon discover something funny; there isn't one, even among academics. McGill University professor, Darko Suvin wrote in 1979, that there are three characteristics that define science fiction. The first is the presence of a Novum - a new invention or discovery. The second characteristic is that the genre is set in an alternate history. Finally, Suvin states that the reader, after finishing the text, should become estranged from that world with the idea that if people can create a fictional world different from ours, then why can't we create a different real world for ourselves than our current one. Pawel Frelik of Oregon State University, defines science fiction of not being a 'forecast of the future,” or a “prediction of the future,” or a “blueprint for the future.” He then goes on to give five definitions of what the genre is, before stating that “There are probably more. Definitely more.” In other words, to define science fiction, you need many definitions. However, its not only academics that can't agree, the creators of science fiction also have different ideas.

Isaac Asimov defined the genre as, "that branch of literature which deals with the reaction of human beings to changes in science and technology." Robert A. Heinlein, on the other hand, had been quoted as saying that science fiction was, "realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method." He also suggested that the term science fiction was not a sufficient umbrella to incorporate all works, and that the term “speculative fiction” be used instead for works that were more “serious” or “thoughtful” In addition, American science fiction author Lester del Rey said, "Even the devoted aficionado or fan—has a hard time trying to explain what science fiction is," and that there is no "full satisfactory definition" as "there are no easily delineated limits to science fiction."

In other words, the problem with science fiction is that the genre is without specific borders. To define a genre is to place limits on what that genre can be. Science fiction, however, has always defied those limits. That is what separates it from practically every other genre. Mysteries, for example, have very specific character types, settings, and plots. Of course the mystery story, as well as every genre, evolved with society, but that growth has never pushed the genre beyond its original borders whereas science fiction has grown tendrils into almost every other genre that there has ever been. Mysteries, comedies, thrillers, drama, horror, crime, and romance, have all been incorporated into science fiction stories.

So what is science fiction?

Its a daunting effort to create a definition that encompasses all that science fiction is. In the end, maybe Damon Knight, the American science fiction author, and critic, was correct when he said that, "Science fiction is what we point to when we say it."

I personally like Ray Bradbury's definition of science fiction. “Science fiction is, after all, the fiction of ideas; the fiction where philosophy can be tinkered with, torn apart, put back together again. Its the fiction of sociology and psychology and history compounded and squared by time. It is the fiction where you may set up and knock down your own political and religious and moral states.”

That, to me, is the best definition of science fiction that I've come across, but I would like to submit one of my own. In my view, robots, time travel, aliens, galactic empires and all the rest are all window dressing. They are the trappings of science fiction, but they do not define it other than in a surface manner. What defines science fiction is its examination of humanity's political, social, religious, and technological development. Society's own intolerance in response to societal evolution can be seen in robot or alien stories (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, District 9), while war and cultural differences are explored with alien civilizations (War of the Worlds, Arrival), and the fate of humanity through time travel, and alternate history (12 Monkeys, The Man in the High Castle.) Humanity as a whole is consistently the genre's main focus. The Dune saga, for example, revolves around the fate of an enormous empire with its manipulative religion, imperial politics and economics, internal rivalries, jealousies, and wars between the different human cultures. With all of that the saga also has an over ten thousand year future history of the human race including a rebellion against the very machines that they created.

In opposition, mysteries, dramas, romance, mystery, horror, thrillers, and comedy stories revolve much more around individuals, and their relationships. The stakes may ultimately decide the fate of a city or region, but it all comes down to the individual stopping the bomb from exploding. The story is about the hero's journey.

So here is my definition of science fiction: Science Fiction is a genre that concerns itself with humanity as a whole, past, present or future, in subtext or metaphor, with the trappings of science inspiring the settings, ideas or themes, or devices.

If that definition seems a little general, it is - out of necessity, but I believe that the distinction between a genre that encompasses all of humanity as opposed to a single or group of heroes is the most important aspect of that definition. Yes, even science fiction has heroes, and villains, but the implications of the character, and story; themes and ideas examine and question humanity writ large and its destiny/future.