’s Foundation: A Critical Review Essay, Research Paper
In what became the first of many of what became the “Foundation Novels”, Isaac Asimov, through his invented science of psychohistory as well as his clever characterizations, projects his theory stating, basically, that the future historical events will be nothing more than reenactments of those past. The basic plot of Foundation is how due to the predicted end of the just rule of the Galactic Empire, and to minimize the barbarism to follow, an intellectually elitist colony to preserve knowledge is formed and must stand without weapons or resources other than their ingenuity to form the Second Galactic Empire. This interpretation of Asimov’s internal meaning is supported by numerous quotes from the book itself, most by the book’s hero and, despite the fact that he is dead for much of the book, main character, Hari Seldon. In the book, his image appears at intervals to speak to the future generations of his Foundation as they are faced with crises. Specific examples of this theory will follow. One example of Asimov’s message of the repetitive nature of history is in the central idea of the story itself. The way the future galaxy was to be saved from the barbarism by way of the preservation of knowledge is an indisputable parallel to the Earth’s own period known as the renaissance. As our history goes, the renaissance, or the enlightenment, was the beginning of the triumph of the Greco-Roman scientific perspective on life over the Medieval Judeo-Christian perspective. This transformation from the dark ages to a better world by way of science on Earth is precisely the goal of the Foundation on the galactic scale. A second example of the correlation between modern history and that of the predictions in Foundation can be found in the way the fledgling Foundation outmaneuvers its more aggressive and militarily powerful enemies. Previous to the “Second Seldon Crisis” as it is called, an advanced network of priests and high priests possessing power that, to the barbarians they are controlling, seems God-like. This power, nuclear power, is merely the utilization of the combination of their own scientific knowledge and their enemy’s lack thereof. For example, nuclear medicine, known to the barbarians as “Holy Food”, was carefully controlled by the priests who were conveniently trained to believe not only that this (in their timeframe) simple technique was mystical, but that the Foundation was actually the religious center of the Galaxy and under the protection of the “Galactic Spirit”. This, as in history, demonstrates the ability to control lesser minds by more capable minds by using the beliefs and fears of the lesser minds. In the past, during the Dark Ages, this technique was used in attempts by the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, to gain political power through religion.
In addition, the third and final “Seldon Crisis” has its own precedent set in our history. The final crisis involves trade and its use to gain power over those who may have more physical power, yet become dependent for other resources and thus incapable of attack. This is found in nearly all of civilizations past, including but not limited to the Greeks, Romans, Byzantinians, and the United States in the present. Contrasting opinions to this theory exist, in quite exasperating numbers in fact, however no supporting arguments could be found. One theory states that Asimov’s writing style reflects that of what the theory calls “action-phobic”, which states “Asimov’s tendency to resolve the action offstage and have the main character sum it up for readers over a leisurely cigar.” (#2, 1997) Additionally, one critic (#3, 1995) writes:..but the bulk of the book is little more than an uninteresting travelogue with exactly the same structure as Foundation’s Edge and even less substance. In fact, there’s nothing in the first couple hundred pages that really has anything to do with the resolution itself, and you could easily graft the final 20 pages onto pretty much any other book you wanted. Who displays an obvious criticism of the writing style of Asimov, who tends to shift timeframes without warning, sometimes over a time-span of centuries with no hint to the reader until it comes up in context later, at which point the entire perspective of the preceding portions must be changed. However, such an argument is based on little fact and therefore virtually unsupportable. In conclusion, the basis of Foundation is drawn from none other than the history of Earth, primarily surrounding the Dark Ages and the following Renaissance. This theory is supported by the overview of the plot (the intellectual enlightenment from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance), the use of nuclear power under the clout of religion (the political power struggle waged by the Pope using religious overtones), and the use of economic might to subdue military strength. All of these parallels between Asimov’s predictions of future sociological problems and their solutions and those past support this theorem.
Другие работы по теме:
Paul Ehrlich Essay Research Paper I A
Paul Ehrlich Essay, Research Paper I. A World To Change Everyone on this earth has to be grateful to Paul Ehrlich because he made so many advances in medical research. Our life expectancy rate would still be around forty years if Ehrlich hadn t been interested in chemistry and biology as a young boy. If Ehrlich hadn t combined so many different chemicals, he would have never combined the chemical known as number 606.
Queen Mab In Romeo And Juliet Essay
, Research Paper Queens and Dreams, Real and Ideal “A dream is a wish your heart makes,” according to Cinderella. Are dreams and fairytales an idealistic notion, or are they actually conceivable? In the play, Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s best companion, Mercutio makes a speech reflecting upon the essence of dreams and fantasy.
A Vogadro Essay Research Paper A VogadroA
A Vogadro Essay, Research Paper A Vogadro A vogadro was born on June 9, 1776 in Turin, Italy. He began his career in 1796 by obtaining a doctorate in law and practicing as a lawyer for three years after. In 1800, he began to take private lessons in mathematics and physics and decided to make the natural sciences his profession.
A Vogadro Essay Research Paper A vogadro
A Vogadro Essay, Research Paper A vogadro was born on June 9, 1776 in Turin, Italy. He began his career in 1796 by obtaining a doctorate in law and practicing as a lawyer for three years after. In 1800, he began to take private lessons in mathematics and physics and decided to make the natural sciences his profession.
Greece Essay Research Paper The country of
Greece Essay, Research Paper The country of Greece, in 400-500 BCE was led to greatness by two city-states. These city-states, diverse in ideas and actions, were Sparta and Athens. Sparta and Athens were as different as night and day. Sparta glorified military tactics while Athens took relish in art and learning.
The Population Solution Essay Research Paper Question
The Population Solution Essay, Research Paper Question… 1. Most people assume that human numbers will stabilize at some point in the future. Discuss the conditions which can contribute to the solution of the population explosion.
Gilgamesh Vs Genesis Essay Research Paper GILGAMESH
GILGAMESH Vs GENESIS: Essay, Research Paper GILGAMESH Vs GENESIS: In our society, which is overwhelmingly Judeo-Christian, students often find it difficult to compare Bible stories with tales from other cultures,
Religion Philosophy And Scientific Thinking Essay Research
Paper During the seventeenth century, many philosophers formulated new ideas that would consequently change the beliefs of the common man. The “thinkers” of the Renaissance Period have the way 17th Century man to the current world. In short, the world viewed religion, philosophy, and science in a very different way by the end of the seventeenth century because of these great philosophers.
Socialist Utopia In Nineteen EightyFour Essay Research
Paper Eric Blair, known to his readers under the English pen name of George Orwell (1903-1950), was a man familiar with the roles of government. He served with the British government in Burma under the Indian Imperial Police. Returning to his European roots, Orwell also sided with the Spanish government as he fought with the Loyalists in their civil war.
Technology Essay Research Paper TechnologyIn Frankenstein
Technology Essay, Research Paper Technology In Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus, written in the late nineteenth century by Mary Shelley, Shelley proposes that knowledge and its effects can be dangerous to individuals and all of humanity. Frankenstein was one of our first and still is one of our best cautionary tales about scientific research..
Robotspast And Future Essay Research Paper ROBOTS
Robots:past And Future Essay, Research Paper ROBOTS: THEIR PAST AND FUTURE Past: It was approximately 3,000 years ago when the first signs of a robot appeared. The Iliad mentions a “mobile tripod” and in the myth Jason and the Argonauts a giant sentinel by the name of Talos is talked about. These weren’t real life robots, so when did the first robot appear.
Good Grades Essay Research Paper Are people
Good Grades Essay, Research Paper Are people who get good grades and/or who get high scores on tests more intelligent than those who do not? Can we just distinguish people who get good grades and/or high scores on tests are more intelligent than those who do not get good grades? I firmly believe that it is not fair to judge people who get good grades are more intelligent than those who do not.
Analysis Of Isaav Asimov
’s “The Machine That Won The War” Essay, Research Paper “The Machine That Won the War,” by Isaac Asimov, is a story that teaches a valuable lesson about humanity and also has an ironic twist at the
Asimov On Chemistry Essay Research Paper Asimov
Asimov On Chemistry Essay, Research Paper Asimov on ChemistryThe Book Asimov on Chemistry by Isaac Asimov is a collection ofseventeen essays that he wrote for The Magazine of Fantasy and ScienceFiction. This book is one of ten that were published by Doubleday & Company,Inc. Not all of the books centered on chemistry and like science.
Control Or Freedom Essay Research Paper Control
Control Or Freedom Essay, Research Paper Control or Freedom In the book The Foundation Isaac Asimov get many points across to the reader and tries to impact their thinking. In The Foundation Asimov gives the reader narrowed insight into the path history forges, how politics shape a populace, and how human behavior is very predictable.
The Fourth Law Of Robotics Essay Research
Paper Sam Vaknin’s Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web SitesSigmund Freud said that we have an uncanny reaction to the inanimate. This is probably because we know that – despite pretensions and layers of philosophizing – we are nothing but recursive, self aware, introspective, conscious machines.
Basic Robotics Essay Research Paper What makes
Basic Robotics Essay, Research Paper What makes a robot? What is a robot? Well the term robot originally comes from Russia. A Czeck playwright, Karek Capek wrote a play in 1921 (translated in 1923) called “R.U.R.:Rossum’s Universal Robots.”. The word he adapted is the Czech word “robota” meaning “servitude” or “statute labour”.
Sparta Essay Research Paper Sparta Uncultured Discipline
Sparta Essay, Research Paper Sparta: Uncultured Discipline The Spartans were the most formidable warriors in all of history. They dedicated their entire lives to warfare. They were taught to endure cold, hunger, pain, their courage on the battlefield was second to none. The Spartan code was to fight hard, follow orders without question and to die rather then retreat or surrender.
Plagues Essay Research Paper AP Euro 8112796Plagues
Plagues Essay, Research Paper AP Euro 8 11/27/96 Plagues Isaac Asimov, one of the greatest thinkers of our generation, theorized that there were three ways man could be destroyed. The first being an unavoidable catastrophe of an astronomical proportion, such as the sun going nova or a meteor striking the Earth, the second global annihilation caused by nuclear or other highly destructive man-made weapons.
Critical Thinking Vs Systematic Thinking Essay Research
Paper The first and fundamental step in the creative process is to have a clear notion of what the problem is and to be able to state it clearly. The effective thinker begins by first focusing on the structure of the problem, rather than its technical detail. Also brought into working memory from creative operations are the potential solutions.
Isaac Asimov Essay Research Paper Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov Essay, Research Paper Isaac Asimov You don t have to like me, although I would prefer it. However, you do have to respect me for all that I have done and for all that I have accomplished in my lifetime. I have written countless books and consider myself well studied in most major fields. I am a well written, prolific, and excellent writer who has done a great deal to improve the quality of science fiction writing.
Foundation Analysis Essay Research Paper Grace Palley
Foundation Analysis Essay, Research Paper Grace Palley has said, All fiction is a lie, but at the heart of that lie is a truth. This quote directly applies to Issac Asimov s, Foundation. Science Fiction deals with events that did happened, may have happened, or have not yet happened to a certain degree. Foundation has symbolic revelation of corrupt power and the quest for the truth.
The Positronic Man Essay Research Paper THE
The Positronic Man Essay, Research Paper THE POSITRONIC MAN An extraordinary story about an extraordinary robot. In the twenty-first century the creation of the positronic brain leads to the development of robot labourers and revolutionises life on Earth. However, to the Martin family, their household robot NDR-113 is more than a tool, it is a trusted friend, a confidant, and a member of the family.
Mars Essay Research Paper On a clear
Mars Essay, Research Paper On a clear night, only a few hundred stars can be seen without the use of any astronomical instruments. The Milky Way Galaxy consists of at
Will Computers Control Humans In The Future
? Essay, Research Paper Will Computers Control Humans In The Future? People always tend to seek the easy way out looking for something that would make their lives easier. Machines and tools have given us the ability to
The Corruption Of Power In Rome Essay
, Research Paper Julius Caesar was murdered on the Ides of March in 44 B.C. by the people he trusted and thought were his friends. The justification for his death was that he was too ambitious and wanted too much power. The very concept of government in Rome was against dictatorship, to which Caesar posed a great threat.
Manhattan Project Essay Research Paper The Manhattan
Manhattan Project Essay, Research Paper The Manhattan Project On the morning of August 6, 1945, a B-29 bomber named Enola Gay flew over the industrial city of Hiroshima, Japan and dropped the first atomic bomb ever. The city went up in flames caused by the immense power equal to about 20,000 tons of TNT. The project was a success.
Women In Corporate America Essay Research Paper
The once male dominated, corporate, “white collar” America has seen a phenomenal influx of women within the last thirty years. Although a female lawyer, physician, or CEO is no longer considered a rarity in our times, women still face quite a deal of oppression in comparison to their male counterparts. In retrospect, some professions have always been controlled by women, and men have not made a noticeable advance in these fields.