Preview
  • Owning the Unknown

  • A Science Fiction Writer Explores Atheism, Agnosticism, and the Idea of God
  • By: Robert Charles Wilson
  • Narrated by: Pete Cross
  • Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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Owning the Unknown

By: Robert Charles Wilson
Narrated by: Pete Cross
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Publisher's summary

Although humankind today can peer far deeper into the universe than ever before, we still find ourselves surrounded by the unknown and perhaps the unknowable. All great science fiction has used the human imagination to explore that realm beyond the known, just as theistic religions have done since long before the genre existed.

As Hugo Award-winning author Robert Charles Wilson argues in Owning the Unknown, the genre’s freewheeling speculation and systematic world-building make it a unique lens for understanding, examining, and assessing the truth claims of religions in general and Christianity in particular.

Drawing on his personal experience, his work as a science-fiction writer, and his deep knowledge of the classics of the genre, he makes the case for what he calls intuitive atheism—an atheism drawn from everyday personal knowledge that doesn’t depend on familiarity with the scholarly debate about theology and metaphysics, any more than a robust personal Christianity does. And as he reminds us, the secrets that remain hidden beyond the borders of the known universe—should we ever discover them—will probably not resemble anything currently found in our most prized philosophies, our most sacred texts, or our most imaginative science fiction.

©2023 Robert Charles Wilson (P)2023 Dreamscape Media
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A refreshing look at the lack of theism

Like many non supernatural believers I have read many of the books. Like Dawkins. They were good, and raised many valid points. But in some ways they were info dumps. Gish gallops. Points I would not feel comfortable making as a non expert.

This was different. Wilson very concisely makes arguments that a layman, such as myself, could easily make. It truly puts the burden of proof back on the beliefs themselves. And without attack. I could almost see two people at a bar discussing this civilly.

Perhaps this is what we needed. A science fiction writer. Someone who is an expert at making the audience fascinated by the unknown. Someone who is amazed and finds wonder in the unknown.

The narration was also a pleasant surprise. Again, it was read like a friend just talking to me. I may end up buying the physical book anyways just so I can highlight my favorite quotes.

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