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

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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