DOCSLIB.ORG

The Human Nonhuman Boundary in Dune

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Human Nonhuman Boundary in Dune ! The Human Non-Human Boundary in Dune An Ontological Reading through a Compara5ve Nietzschean and Transhuman Framework Ki5 Misha English Studies, English III, Literary option-VT20 Bachelor of Arts with a major in English Studies 30 credits Spring 2020 Supervisor: Berndt Clavier [Misha] Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................1 1. Introducon ...................................................................................................................1 2. What is human? .............................................................................................................4 2.1. Three types of posthuman ..........................................................................................................6 2.2. The Kwisatz Haderach .................................................................................................................6 2.3. Transhuman’s posthuman ...........................................................................................................7 2.4. NietzsChe’s overhuman ...............................................................................................................8 2.4.1. NietzsChe, Transhumanism: Transvalua5on of Values .......................................................................10 2.4.2. NietzsChe, Transhumanism: EnhanCements and Gene5Cs ................................................................11 2.4.3. NietzsChe, Transhumanism: Eternal ReCurrenCe ...............................................................................13 3. From human to posthuman: Paul .................................................................................15 3.1. PauL as the star5ng point from human to posthuman ..............................................................15 3.2. The Gom Jabbar: tes5ng to find humans ..................................................................................17 3.3. Arrakis: Catalysts of Change ......................................................................................................21 3.4. Arrakis: The Desert and refleC5ons on the posthuman Condi5on ............................................23 4. From Posthuman to Non-human: The Worm .................................................................25 4.1. An introduC5on to the non-human? .........................................................................................26 4.2. Leto’s “eCoLogiCal” metamorphoses ..........................................................................................27 4.3. From non-human to human ......................................................................................................30 5. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................35 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................37 [Misha] Abbrevia5ons: God Emperor of Dune – GED ChiLdren of Dune – COD Thus Spoke Zarathustra - TSZ [Misha] Abstract In Frank Herbert’s Dune Saga, we find a transhumanist and Nietzschean argument about the evolution of humans achieved as a result of the triggering effect of the Butlerian Jihad against thinking machines. I claim that the metamorphoses of the selected characters reflect the central tenants of the transformation of Nietzsche’s overhuman, or transhumanism’s posthuman. By extending these metamorphoses to include the standpoint of a fictional counterpart such as Dune’s Kwisatz Haderach, this study claims that in Science Fiction we find a possible ground for conceptualizing difficult problems that deal with the future of humanity. This investigation into the need to overcome the human condition will be held in order to see what drives human enhancement, what triggers the need for change, and how this enhancement is realised. Moreover, I claim that the Dune Saga dramatizes a future scenario that furthers the discussion on what is human by questioning the boundary between human and nonhuman Keywords: Frank Herbert, Dune, the Dune Saga, Science Fiction, Nietzsche, Overhuman, Posthuman, Transhuman, Transhumanism, Human, Nonhuman !1 [Misha] If we have made our way from worm to man, there still remains much within us that is worm, and although we were once apes man is now more of an ape than any ape. The superhuman is to be our new hope, the lightning and madness that emerges out of the dark cloud of man and in which man can find his purification - FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE, Thus Spoke Zarathustra 1. Introduction This study focuses on the human non-human boundary as expressed in Frank Herbert’s Dune Saga. My argument is that Dune is a series of novels of many conceptual layers where the author constantly tries to disprove political or ethic absolutisms. He achieves this by showing the result extremes have on the society of Dune. The metamorphoses of Paul Atreides and Leto II reflect the central tenants of the transformation of Nietzsche’s overhuman, or transhumanism’s posthuman. In a seminal manner, the Dune Saga posits that the changes of Dune are triggered by technology which serves as a catalyst for the metamorphoses happening in the novels. Technology is seen as a means of enhancing the human condition by transhumanism, and at the same time it plays an important role in Nietzsche’s writing. This makes Dune1 a perfect study case to discuss and analyse what is human through the framework of Nietzsche, transhumanism, and the influence of technology. In order to present this in an explanative manner I will progress in the following way. First, I will compare and contrast the definitions and concepts of the posthuman to that of Nietzsche’s overhuman. After that, I will contextualise the overhuman and the posthuman in Herbert’s Kwisatz Haderach, so that the similarities between the three will open up the possibility for debating the human nonhuman boundary in the Dune novels. 1 In this study “Dune” refers both to Frank Herbert’s first noveL of the saga, as weLL as the name of the pLanet where the story takes pLace. When referring to the noveL the word wiLL be italiCized. !2 [Misha] By constructing an unfamiliar scenario where we can lay down our preconceptions, Dune opens up “pathways discredited or even invisible to the ‘common sense’” (Wagner- Lawlor 12). In Dune’s past history, humankind stagnated and became overly dependent on technology. As a result, they were enslaved by their own “thinking machines” (Dune 564). It was this episode that triggered the need to enhance human abilities in Dune, and made their society move away from reliance on technology. In my view, the evolution of human enhancement in Dune is necessary to highlighting the existence of a philosophical connection between transhumanism’s reinvented conception of the self and the overhuman found in the writings of Nietzsche. This is noted in the presence of the similarities between the overhuman and the posthuman, and the Kwisatz Haderach. The scholars and philosophers who form the basis of the transhuman thinking, such as the original creators Max More and Nick Bostrom, believe it is imperative to evolve and enhance our abilities in order not to be in the hands of chance but own our future. The transhumanist philosophy stands for genetic engineering in order to rid humanity of sickness, prolong lifespan, and increase our intelligence. It is believed the ultimate result of this process will be the posthuman, and that we as humans can enter into a transhuman phase in order to achieve it. However, the genetic engineering present in the selected works differs from one philosophy to the other. As it will be further discussed below, transhumanism advocates liberal eugenics where the individual has the full right to either agree or disagree with the process. While the genetic breeding of Dune is reminiscent of a difficult time in European history where “purity” was valued above the rights of the individual. This is one of the instances in Dune were Herbert warns the reader against the dangers of absolutism, be them ethical or political. !3 [Misha] The metamorphoses that Paul Atreides and Leto II go through are comparable to the transhuman road to posthuman, as understood by transhumanism. This transformation is evocative of Nietzsche’s claim that his protagonist “Zarathustra is only a transitional figure on the way to his ultimate goal of creating the superhuman” (Loeb 85). There are similarities between Zarathustra's transformation and that of Paul who seems to come into existence in order to facilitate the coming of Leto II, or the seemingly real overhuman of Dune. In both instances we get a majority of the population that would qualify as human, a selected few that reminds us of the transhuman, and in rare cases we see the emergence of the equivalent of a posthuman. When an evolved human appears in Dune, his existence causes an equal amount of awe and fear. This is noticed in many instances when we see “factions” that are so different from what we consider human as to defy certain categorisation. Because of these similarities, I believe that Transhumanism is the most apt grid of analysis to investigate Dune. However, in light of the warning against absolutes that seems to be a constant theme in the Dune books, all the selected concepts should be taken not as such, but as definitions that open a ground for discussing the evolution from human to posthuman, and the investigation of the human
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Chapterhouse: Dune Frank Herbert April 1985 Those Who Would Repeat
    Chapterhouse: Dune Frank Herbert April 1985 Those who would repeat the past must control the teaching of history. -Bene Gesserit Coda When the ghola-baby was delivered from the first Bene Gesserit axlotl tank, Mother Superior Darwi Odrade ordered a quiet celebration in her private dining room atop Central. It was barely dawn, and the two other members of her Council -- Tamalane and Bellonda -- showed impatience at the summons, even though Odrade had ordered breakfast served by her personal chef. "It isn't every woman who can preside at the birth of her own father," Odrade quipped when the others complained they had too many demands on their time to permit of "time-wasting nonsense." Only aged Tamalane showed sly amusement. Bellonda held her over-fleshed features expressionless, often her equivalent of a scowl. Was it possible, Odrade wondered, that Bell had not exorcised resentment of the relative opulence in Mother Superior's surroundings? Odrade's quarters were a distinct mark of her position but the distinction represented her duties more than any elevation over her Sisters. The small dining room allowed her to consult aides during meals. Bellonda glanced this way and that, obviously impatient to be gone. Much effort had been expended without success in attempts to break through Bellonda's coldly remote shell. "It felt very odd to hold that baby in my arms and think: This is my father," Odrade said. "I heard you the first time!" Bellonda spoke from the belly, almost a baritone rumbling as though each word caused her vague indigestion. She understood Odrade's wry jest, though.
    [Show full text]
  • Atreides Bene Gesserit Emperor Harkonnen Spacing Guild Fremen
    QUICK START GUIDE Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novelDune will live for generations as a masterpiece of creative imagination. In this game, you can bring to life the alien planet and the swirling intrigues of all the book’s major characters. Atreides Harkonnen The Atreides led by the The Harkonnens, led youthful Paul Atreides by the decadent Baron (Muad’Dib) — rightful Vladimir Harkonnen — heir to the planet, gifted master of treachery and with valiant lieutenants. cruel deeds. Bene Spacing Gesserit Guild The Bene Gesserit The Spacing Guild Sisterhood, represented represented by by Reverend Mother steersman Edric (in Gaius Helen Mohiam — league with smuggler ancient and inscrutable. bands) — monopolist of transport, yet addicted to ever increasing spice flows. Emperor Fremen The Emperor, his The Fremen majesty the Padishah represented by the Emperor Shaddam IV planetary ecologist Liet- — keen and efficient, Kynes — commanding yet easily lulled into fierce hordes of natives, complacency by his own adept at life and travel trappings of power. on the planet. SETUP: SPICE BANK SETUP: TREACHERY & SPICE DECKS, STORM MARKER I’m Lady Jessica of the House Atreides. Prepare to become immersed in the world of Dune. Here’s Feyd-Rautha of House Harkonnen here. how to set everything up. We are masters of treachery and cruel deeds! Next, shuffle the Treachery & Spice Decks and set them next to the board. I am Stilgar of the Fremen. We are adept Staban Tuek, at life and travel on of the Spacing the planet Dune. Guild coalition. First set out the We control all game board map. shipments on and off Dune.
    [Show full text]
  • House Atreides PDF Book
    HOUSE ATREIDES PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Brian Herbert,Kevin J Anderson | 704 pages | 01 Aug 2000 | Random House USA Inc | 9780553580273 | English | New York, United States House Atreides PDF Book Leto, Rhombur and Kailea manage to escape in the nick of time and make it back to the Atreides homeworld of Caladan. In an effort to set the stage for the latter two books in the trilogy, a great many characters are introduced. Frank Herbert wrote a detailed outline for Dune 7 and he left extensive Dune 7 notes, as well as stored boxes of his descriptions, epigraphs, chapters, character backgrounds, historical notes—over a thousand pages worth. Retrieved March 16, Human civilization before his rule had suffered from twin weaknesses: that it could be controlled by a single authority, and that it was totally dependent upon melange, found on only one planet in the known universe. This necessitated some changes, of course. New York: Routledge. The Bene Gesserit control the sandworms and their planet, now called Rakis, but the Tleilaxu have also discovered how to synthetically produce melange. Retrieved July 16, Pardot Kynes arrives on Arrakis and begins his duties there. I didn't feel like noting down other repetitions, perhaps at some point in the future when I'm old and grey I'll pick this baby apart, but for now let's leave it at this. I fell flat. None of that mattered as it added to the depth and brevity of his novels. Retrieved February 15, Categories : Dune franchise Book series introduced in Family saga novels Mining in fiction Planetary romances Science fiction book series Soft science fiction Fiction set in the 11th millennium or beyond.
    [Show full text]
  • Frank Herbert's Dune
    D U N E Part One by John Harrison Based on the novel by Frank Herbert Revisions 11/15/99 © 1999 New Amsterdam Entertainment, Inc. Converted by duneinfo.com 1. A1 FADE IN: A black void where... A PLANET slowly emerges. Forming in orange/gold mists. Desolate, monochromatic contours. No clouds. Just a thin cover of cirrus vapor. And somewhere... A mechanical voice...lecturing with monotonous precision. VOICE ....Arrakis...Dune...wasteland of the Empire. Wilderness of hostile deserts and cataclysmic storms. Home to the monstrous sandworm that haunts the vast desolation. The only planet in the universe where can be found...the SPICE. Guardian of health and longevity, source of wisdom, gateway to enhanced awareness. Rare and coveted by noble and commoner alike. The spice! Greatest treasure in the Empire... And now...ANOTHER VOICE. Not mechanical. BARON HARKONNEN And so it begins. The trap is set. The prey approaches... Suddenly the planet becomes transparent. It's a HOLOGRAM! And there behind it... The face of BARON VLADIMIR HARKONNEN. Staggeringly obese. Staring with intimidating intensity at the 3D globe suspended in front of him. The calm of his voice is frightening. BARON HARKONNEN A glorious winter is about to descend on House Atreides and all its heirs. The centuries of humiliation visited upon my family will finally be avenged. Behind him... MALE VOICE (RABBAN) BUT ARRAKIS WAS MINE. ANOTHER VOICE (FEYD) Shut up, Rabban! The Baron turns. REVEALING... 2. 1 EXT. BARON'S SUITE...HARKONNEN PALACE - NIGHT ...his NEPHEWS...GLOSSU RABBAN...AKA "the Beast"...his fat sweaty face twisted with rage.
    [Show full text]
  • Terror Ecology: Secrets from the Arrakeen Underground
    Terra‐&‐Terror Ecology: Secrets from the Arrakeen Underground Nandita Biswas Mellamphy Western University, Canada It is […] vital to an understanding of Muad'Dib’s religious impact that you never lose sight of one fact: the Fremen were a desert people whose entire ancestry was accustomed to hostile landscapes. Mysticism isn’t difficult when you survive each second by surmounting open hostility […]. With such a tradition, suffering is accepted […]. And it is well to note that Fremen ritual gives almost complete freedom from guilt‐feelings. This isn’t necessarily because their law and religion were identical, making disobedience a sin. It is likely closer to the mark to say they cleansed themselves of guilt easily because their everyday existence required brutal (often deadly) judgments which in a softer land would burden men with unbearable guilt. Dune I (576‐77) This world, which is the same for all, no one of gods or men has made. But it always is, was, and will be an ever‐living Fire, igniting and extinguishing in equal measure. Heraclitus Fragments (DK B30) [F]orm is nothing but holes and cracks […] with a nature that has no hardness or solidity. Ancient Buddhist saying. Frank Herbert’s science‐fiction classic Dune1 is a literary work about political, religious, military and ecological design: a design in which Dune’s desert‐planet is, like fire, a perpetually self‐consuming political, religious, military and ecological topos and in which human beings— among other things like water, sand‐worms and religious doctrines—are the fodder that fuels what could be called the ‘Great Ecology’ of planetary regeneration and desertification.
    [Show full text]
  • The Blackness of Liet-Kynes: Reading Frank Herbert's Dune Through
    religions Article The Blackness of Liet-Kynes: Reading Frank Herbert’s Dune Through James Cone Peter Herman Theology & Religious Studies, Marymount University, Arlington, VA 22207, USA; [email protected] Received: 1 August 2018; Accepted: 17 September 2018; Published: 18 September 2018 Abstract: Frank Herbert’s landmark science fiction novel Dune has received numerous sequels, prequels, and film treatments. Detailing the saga of humanity’s far future beyond our present solar system, the work plays successfully with religious, political, and ecological themes. This essay deals with the social/theological implications of two figures within the story-world of Dune: Its protagonist and visible hero, Paul Atreides/Muad’Dib and the lesser figure of the “Imperial Planetologist” Dr. Kynes, also known to the Fremen as “Liet”. By reading these two figures through the theology of James Cone, we discover that the obvious hero is not a messianic figure but a demonic one. Further, it is the lesser character of Liet-Kynes who actually fulfills the messianic role in Cone’s theological system. This essay is preceded by and makes use of Jeremy Ian Kirk’s work with the film Avatar that provides similar analysis. Where Kirk’s principal concern is with the ethical considerations of Avatar, this essay will more closely bear on Cone’s dynamic of redemption and conversion, specifically his notion of dying to white identity to be reborn in blackness. Keywords: theology; whiteness; black liberation; liberation theology; soteriology; salvation 1. Introduction Frank Herbert’s six Dune novels provide an amazing and detailed view of a possible future for the human race among the stars.1 The world-building in which he engaged spans thousands of years and billions of miles in his speculative future version of our known universe.2 Religion, specifically the often cynical manipulations of the Bene Geserit Sisterhood, plays a role in the narrative.
    [Show full text]
  • Foundation and Dune
    Mythmoot III: Ever On Proceedings of the 3rd Mythgard Institute Mythmoot BWI Marriott, Linthicum, Maryland January 10-11, 2015 Foundation and Dune or, Hari Seldon and the Golden Path Neil A. Ottenstein and Phillip Menzies Introduction The idea of there being a similarity between the Dune novels by Frank Herbert and Foundation series by Isaac Asimov became apparent during one of the Mythgard Academy classes on Dune led by Corey Olsen. During this class we examined in great detail what Paul Atreides was experiencing when his ability to see the future started to surface in his consciousness. In describing the mechanics of Paul’s view of the future it became clear that Paul was not “seeing” the future in any kind of mystical way. This view of seeing the future reminded some participants in the class of Psychohistory as put forward by Hari Seldon in the Foundation series. In this series Psychohistory was entirely based upon science and mathematics once again totally unrelated to mysticism or magic in any way. This paper will look at these two methods of foretelling or predicting the future by describing and comparing what was experienced by Paul and the Psychohistorians. It will also examine the mechanics of “seeing” the future. We are able to do this because these abilities were rational based on science, mathematics, observation and extrapolation and totally explainable unlike magic or metaphysical forces. Both novels also described limitations to seeing the future by showing that some things were not able to be seen and anticipated. We will examine this by venturing into the sequel Foundation and Empire.
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolution of Free Will in Frank Herbert's Dune
    The Evolution of Free Will in Frank Herbert's Dune Galeković, Filip Master's thesis / Diplomski rad 2020 Degree Grantor / Ustanova koja je dodijelila akademski / stručni stupanj: University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences / Sveučilište u Rijeci, Filozofski fakultet Permanent link / Trajna poveznica: https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:186:319560 Rights / Prava: In copyright Download date / Datum preuzimanja: 2021-09-30 Repository / Repozitorij: Repository of the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences - FHSSRI Repository UNIVERSITY OF RIJEKA FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES THE EVOLUTION OF FREE WILL IN FRANK HERBERT’S DUNE Filip Galeković Rijeka, 2020 1 University of Rijeka Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Department of English Language and Literature The Evolution of Free Will in Frank Herbert’s Dune Student: Filip Galeković (MBG: 0009070096) ​ ​ ​ Mentor: Prof. Lovorka Gruić-Grmuša, PhD Rijeka, September 2020 ​ 2 Abstract The topic of free will is a very complex one, no matter what context one might put it in. In contemporary terms, its existence is as of yet undecided, and it is unclear whether we will ever be able to offer a satisfying conclusion to the matter. What we can do, however, is to discuss free will in a more easily digestible frame of reference, like that of Dune. Being a science-fiction novelist, Frank Herbert had the opportunity to play around with a number of interesting topics, and it is my goal to discuss a very particular one: determinism. By describing Dune as deterministic, I will create a framework for the central problem of this thesis: is it possible for a deterministic subject to develop free will? The notion that something like free will might arise in a purely deterministic universe is a curious one, not least because it is not something we often come across.
    [Show full text]
  • Portable Storage #3
    3..Editorial 7..Pre-Build Ruins Alva Svoboda 12..Weird Stairways 58..Core Samples L. Jim Khennedy Craig William Lion 30..Beatnik Memories 64..San Francisco Expanded Ray Nelson John Fugazzi 31..Genders 68..Cole Valley Ray Nelson Kennedy Gammage 33..San Francisco, 1967 71..The Messiah Bunch Stacy Scott Terry Floyd 35..San Francisco Soliloquy 78..Hippies Kim Kerbis Robert Lichtman 38..Ghosts of San Francisco 82..From the Catacombs of Berkeley Don Herron Dale Nelson 41..Poets Don’t Have 88..The San Francisco Adventures Spare Change Michael Breiding Billy Wolfenbarger 107..What Was I G. Sutton Breiding 108..Staying Put Jay Kinney 112..Crap St. Ghost Dance D.S. Black 116..My San Francisco Century: 43..San Francisco Part One: 1970-2020 G. Sutton Breiding Grant Canfield 45..The City 146..House of Fools James Ru Joan Rector Breiding 48..Does A Moose Have an Id? 149..LoC$ Gary Mattingly 157..Dr. Dolittle 52..Me vs. The Giants Gary Casey Rich Coad 166..The Gorgon of Poses 56..Cliff House, Tafoni, Rock Lace, G. Sutton Breiding Use of Gyratory in a Sentence Jeanne N. Bowman “A time almost more than a place.” Susan Breiding 2 Artists in this Issue Frank Vacanti (Cover) Jim Ru (2, 30) Craig Smith (3, 40,51,56) Steve Stiles (6) Dave Barnett (31) Kurt Erichsen (45) John R. Benson(47, 70) Crow’s Caw Grant Canfield (116-145, William M. Breiding unless otherwise noted) I knew from day one when starting Portable Storage that I wanted to do a themed issue on San Francisco.
    [Show full text]
  • The Bene Gesserit in Frank Herbert's Dune
    T. Meza 1 Hugvísindasvið The Bene Gesserit in Frank Herbert’s Dune An analysis. Ritgerð til B.A.-prófs Luis Felipe Torres Meza December 2010 T. Meza 2 Háskóli Íslands Hugvísindasvið Enska The Bene Gesserit in Frank Herbert’s Dune An Analysis. Ritgerð til B.A.-prófs. Luis Felipe Torres Meza Kt.: 250786-3959 Leiðbeinendur: Matthew Whelpton og Valgerður Guðrún Bjarkadóttir December 2010 T. Meza 3 Abstract. The following is a work of literary analysis involving Frank Herbert’s Dune, which is the first published tome of what later became known as the Dune Chronicles. The Chronicles comprise six books authored by Frank Herbert many of which are referred to here, but this work centres only on Dune. This literary analysis focuses on the Bene Gesserit, an organization of women which plays a large part in the development of Herbert’s novel. The main objective of the discussion is to describe this conglomerate of characters and analyse it as one single collective character with its own story and its own characteristics in order to expand the understanding of Dune. Although much work about this science fiction novel exists today, the implications of the Bene Gesserit have not been adequately discussed. There are critics who condemn Herbert’s depiction of women in his universe based on the comparison of power between the novel’s protagonist hero, Paul Atreides and his Bene Gesserit counterparts. Another important tendency in Dune criticism is the inaccurate view that limits the understanding of the Bene Gesserit as a religious organization, although Dune itself provides readers with evidence to the contrary.
    [Show full text]
  • Matter Poetics, Melange and the Lichenised Posthuman
    Harriet Fidkin Journal article Destination – e-flux Matter Poetics, Melange and the Lichenised Posthuman - How Artists and Writers Present Visions of an Interconnected Life Between Man and Non-Human Others in the Age of the Anthropocene. A microscopic being changing the socioeconomic structure of societies worldwide is forcing us to confront our porosity. Covid-19 permeating and altering the bodies of so many begs the question – have we ever been individuals? Matter Poetics, Melange and the Lichenised Posthuman interrogates the ways in which our entangled existence is presented within science fiction media, using Frank Herbert’s seminal work Dune (1965) and the fictional mind-altering drug Melange to frame a discursive speculation surrounding the holobiotic existence of all Earthlings. Alternative theories surrounding symbiosis, taxonomy, mortality and consciousness expansion are sketched, calling for a reconsideration of what constitutes “the human” in such perilous times for the planet. The text examines literature, film, conceptual art and philosophical meditations. The mycelial practices of Jae Rhim Lee and Jordon Belson, the posthuman ideologies of Drew Milne, Donna Haraway and Lynn Margulis, and Alex Garland’s Annihilation (2018) are explored; thoughts and arguments, like matter, are scattered amorphously. Covid-19 restructuring the way we live our lives has made many more of us realise the fragility of the human condition. Science fiction is and always has been intertwined with our realities- can such speculations help us escape our dystopian reality by facilitating a re-evaluation of our inextricable connection to the natural world? (though inessential, a base level knowledge of herbert’s duniverse will help with the understanding of this text) duniverse – the fictional universe in which herbert’s dune is set Key words – Symbiosis, Dune, Mycelium, Anthropocene, Science-Fiction.
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolution of Free Will in Frank Herbert's Dune
    The Evolution of Free Will in Frank Herbert's Dune Galeković, Filip Master's thesis / Diplomski rad 2020 Degree Grantor / Ustanova koja je dodijelila akademski / stručni stupanj: University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences / Sveučilište u Rijeci, Filozofski fakultet Permanent link / Trajna poveznica: https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:186:319560 Rights / Prava: In copyright Download date / Datum preuzimanja: 2021-09-29 Repository / Repozitorij: Repository of the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences - FHSSRI Repository UNIVERSITY OF RIJEKA FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES THE EVOLUTION OF FREE WILL IN FRANK HERBERT’S DUNE Filip Galeković Rijeka, 2020 1 University of Rijeka Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Department of English Language and Literature The Evolution of Free Will in Frank Herbert’s Dune Student: Filip Galeković (MBG: 0009070096) ​ ​ ​ Mentor: Prof. Lovorka Gruić-Grmuša, PhD Rijeka, September 2020 ​ 2 Abstract The topic of free will is a very complex one, no matter what context one might put it in. In contemporary terms, its existence is as of yet undecided, and it is unclear whether we will ever be able to offer a satisfying conclusion to the matter. What we can do, however, is to discuss free will in a more easily digestible frame of reference, like that of Dune. Being a science-fiction novelist, Frank Herbert had the opportunity to play around with a number of interesting topics, and it is my goal to discuss a very particular one: determinism. By describing Dune as deterministic, I will create a framework for the central problem of this thesis: is it possible for a deterministic subject to develop free will? The notion that something like free will might arise in a purely deterministic universe is a curious one, not least because it is not something we often come across.
    [Show full text]