Change in Science Fiction Theory and Discourse: A Conceptual Ideology

One of the peculiarities of the genre of science fiction is that many basic theoretical approaches and concepts referring to it are directly reflected in literary works. Change is such a key concept and a basis for the ideology of different kinds of change in the unique genre of science fiction, and as such, this concept is reflected in both science fiction theory and discourse. In the present study different theoretical and practical data have been selected for the analysis and change has been discussed as a case to lend plausibility to the mentioned argument and to conclude that the concept of change is not only a key notion in science fiction ideology but also a primary functional tool through which the basic cognitive strategies of the genre – scientific, technological, social, psychological and many others are realized. Since there are numerous variations on the concept of change in science fiction, only three types of change have been centred on: psychological change, positive/progressive technological change, and negative/regressive technological change. The analyses therefore provide access not only to mental (rational and emotional) models that shape our understanding of the concept of change, but also to other models provided by language to express scientific-technological and individual/inner modifications of our information age. The case of the concept of change discussed in this paper also suggests that science fiction is a genre which tends to directly reflect many basic theoretical approaches and concepts in discourse.