According to McKnee, what relationship did Dick’s ideas have to (a) Christianity (b) religion and philosophy in general?
P.K.D was directly inspired by the Bible and especially of the figure of Paul. The figure of Paul could be seen as an influence on the novel Our Friends from Frolix 8 in which a hero shoots off into space to save humanity from repression by other evolved humans. Back on Earth the human Eric Cordon keeps hope in the hero alive through written word and speeches but is eventually executed by the evolved humans. This is directly inspired by Paul and Jesus, Jesus as the hero who leaves Earth but who promises to return, and Paul who keeps his message alive.
Other works have also been inspired by Christian theology such as the novel Ubik in which Ubik says: “I am Ubik. Before the universe was, I am. I made the suns. I made the worlds.” Ubik is almost paraphrasing God in the bible that created the universe and Earth.
The novel The Man in the High Castle steps away from Christianity and instead focuses on religion and philosophy of the I Ching. P.K.D actually cast the I Ching “for them and let them (the characters) proceed on the basis of the advice given.”
This is a bit on the opposite side from Joe's post earlier. Are you trying to say that Dick wrote the story inspired by the idea of the world is a game which God play with himself?
ReplyDeleteI think Christianity to PK Dick is still myth he is still trying to explore and 'renovate' or (may I say) is to create more threads for his story line.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting response - I recently read "our friends" and PKD's religious philosophy is quite evident in this novel. There is also a lot of critical literature that discusses the christian iconography in 'Blade Runner'. I'd be interested in your responses to Joe and Simon's questions. Also please quote/reference the theoretical texts you refer to - using the appropriate referencing conventions.
ReplyDeleteWow, I really like your post. It is quite interesting and knowledgeable. It is the first for me to know that Ubik says: “I am Ubik. Before the universe was, I am. I made the suns. I made the worlds.” I really enjoy reading your post, it is very benefit for me to learn about more.
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