Looking for philosophical science fiction mysteries. > Likes and Comments

Comments Showing 1-13 of 13 (13 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by J.H. (new)

J.H. Lee Lately I’ve been drawn to philosophical science fiction mysteries.
The world can be harsh at times, but I feel there’s always a quiet human warmth beneath it.
I’m looking for stories that explore emotion and humanity.


message 2: by Melanie (new)

Melanie Hey J, I moved this conversation to the recommendations folder!


message 3: by Colin (new)

Colin I can think of science fiction that explores philosophy, but I am a little stumped at the combination of philosophy with mysteries. On the science fiction and philosophy side of things, I would suggest exploring:
Robert Heinlein: Stranger in a Strange Land, Time Enough for Love, and Starship Troopers
Hao Jingfang: Vagabonds
Ursula LeGuin: The Left Hand of Darkness

Some very different takes on humanity in the universe.


message 4: by Becky (new)

Becky J. wrote: "Lately I’ve been drawn to philosophical science fiction mysteries.
The world can be harsh at times, but I feel there’s always a quiet human warmth beneath it.
I’m looking for stories that explore emotion and humanity."


I would recommend these -
Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
Foe by Iain Reid
The Lesson Cadwell Turnbull
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (light on the sci-fi, heavy on the philosophy)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Kindred by Octavia E Butler


message 6: by Adam (new)

Adam Axler Becky wrote: "J. wrote: "Lately I’ve been drawn to philosophical science fiction mysteries.
The world can be harsh at times, but I feel there’s always a quiet human warmth beneath it.
I’m looking for stories tha..."


Great list. I would add 2 more Lem "space mysteries" as I like to group them (or you can review Lethem's Lem categories):
His Master's Voice
The Investigation.


message 7: by Phil (new)

Phil You might want to check out Peter Watts' Blindsight


message 8: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever what about the Asimov Robot Series featuring Elijah Baley and R. Daneel Olivaw?


message 9: by Anahita (new)

Anahita Would Asimov's Foundation series be considered philosophical? It's personally affected my philosophy, I read it in my mid-teens.


message 10: by Colin (new)

Colin It occurs to me that many of the old dystopian novels that, at the time they were written, were exploring a "near future" could be considered to fall into this category. If you accept that premise, two major works would be:
Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
1984 - George Orwell


message 11: by Sarah (new)

Sarah Connell Anything by Ursula K Le Guin. Start with Dispossessed if you’ve never read her.


message 12: by CBRetriever (new)

CBRetriever Anahita wrote: "Would Asimov's Foundation series be considered philosophical? It's personally affected my philosophy, I read it in my mid-teens."

it's philosophical to me too, but I wouldn't consider them mysteries


message 13: by Peter (new)

Peter I find lots of philosophical food-for-thoughts in short stories. This last year proved to be potent in this regard when reading stories from Clarkesworld, Uncanny, and Lightspeed magazines. Give them a go.


back to top