--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the things that science fiction…" description: "\"One of the things that science fiction gets to do is thought experiments about the human condition that would be impractical or unethical to conduct in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26b/robert-j-sawyer-3858_fiction_one-of-the-things-that-science-fiction-g_382394.jpg" --- # One of the things that science fiction gets to do is… ![“One of the things that science fiction gets to do is thought experiments about the human condition that would be impractical or unethical to conduct in real life.” quote by Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26b/robert-j-sawyer-3858_fiction_one-of-the-things-that-science-fiction-g_382394.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26b/robert-j-sawyer-3858_fiction_one-of-the-things-that-science-fiction-g_382394.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26b/robert-j-sawyer-3858_fiction_one-of-the-things-that-science-fiction-g_382394.jpg) > “One of the things that science fiction gets to do is thought experiments about the human condition that would be impractical or unethical to conduct in real life.” [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science fiction allows us to explore ethical dilemmas and human experiences that real‑world experiments cannot safely address. **In simple terms:** Fiction lets us test ideas about humanity without real harm. Key Takeaway Use speculative stories to examine moral questions. Themes ethics imagination human nature Mood thought‑provoking inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - bio‑ethics debates - AI rights - space colonization - social policy design Key Concepts philosophy future studies technology Questions to Reflect On - What ethical scenario would you explore in a story? - How can speculative narratives influence real policy? A Different Perspective Fiction may oversimplify complex issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Human condition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-condition/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Real life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-life/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-fiction/) ## Related quotes > [So far as this argument is concerned nonhuman animals and infants and retarded humans are in the same category; and if we use this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/so-far-as-this-argument-is-concerned-nonhuman-animals-and-infants-and/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [The problem with experiments has always been that human beings make the decisions on whether or not the animals have benefitted from the treatment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-randi/the-problem-with-experiments-has-always-been-that-human-beings-make/) [James Randi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-randi/) > [“Under the section heading “Experiments with Human Subjects” – a heading that, were I a doctor previously employed by Nazi Germany, I might have rephrased –”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/under-the-section-heading-experiments-with-human-subjects-a-heading/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [Ideas for my first experiments in human aggression came from discussions we had in a research seminar about William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-zimbardo/ideas-for-my-first-experiments-in-human-aggression-came-from/) [Philip Zimbardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-zimbardo/) > [Even such an obvious idea as to observe an animal with vertigo or to rotate an animal did not occur to him, in spite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barany/even-such-an-obvious-idea-as-to-observe-an-animal-with-vertigo-or-to/) [Robert Barany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barany/) > [...the program of scientific experimentation that leads you to conclude that animals are imbeciles is profoundly anthropocentric. It values being able to find your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee-2/the-program-of-scientific-experimentation-that-leads-you-to-conclude/) [J. M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee-2/) > [LSD caused a lot of experimenting going on. And we're thinking, 'Wait a minute, what if we've got...' I always thought, 'What if some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/len-wiseman/lsd-caused-a-lot-of-experimenting-going-on-and-we-re-thinking-wait-a/) [Len Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/len-wiseman/) > [Conflating thought experiments with reality could slow the deployment of AVs that are reliably safer than human drivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-iagnemma/conflating-thought-experiments-with-reality-could-slow-the-deployment/) [Karl Iagnemma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-iagnemma/) > [“Zombies are familiar characters in philosophical thought experiments. They are like people in every way except they have no internal experience… If there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaron-lanier/zombies-are-familiar-characters-in-philosophical-thought-experiments/) [Jaron Lanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaron-lanier/) > [If you want to understand the nature of something, to find out the truth, that is one thing. If you want to play semantics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-churchland/if-you-want-to-understand-the-nature-of-something-to-find-out-the/) [Patricia Churchland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-churchland/) > [One of the nice things about science fiction is that it lets us carry out thought experiments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-rucker/one-of-the-nice-things-about-science-fiction-is-that-it-lets-us-carry/) [Rudy Rucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-rucker/) > [You must come to Copenhagen to work with us. We like people who can actually perform thought experiments!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/you-must-come-to-copenhagen-to-work-with-us-we-like-people-who-can/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [Just as thought experiments can't show that vitalism is true (or that it is false), they also can't show that dualism is true (or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-sober/just-as-thought-experiments-can-t-show-that-vitalism-is-true-or-that/) [Elliott Sober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-sober/) > [“He made imaginative leaps and discerned great principles through thought experiments rather than by methodical inductions based on experimental data. The theories that resulted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/he-made-imaginative-leaps-and-discerned-great-principles-through/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [Social progress is a big thing for me. Although science fiction is traditionally concerned with the hard sciences, which is chemistry, physics, and, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/social-progress-is-a-big-thing-for-me-although-science-fiction-is/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) ## More by Robert J. Sawyer > [Naturally, one does not normally discuss plans to commit murder with the intended victim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/naturally-one-does-not-normally-discuss-plans-to-commit-murder-with/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Not wanting to die was another universal constant, it seemed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/not-wanting-to-die-was-another-universal-constant-it-seemed/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [I'm much more interested in writing about the things that engage and enrage me as an adult rather than in wallowing in childhood sorrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/i-m-much-more-interested-in-writing-about-the-things-that-engage-and/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Our job is not to predict the future. Rather, it's to suggest all the possible futures - so that society can make informed decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/our-job-is-not-to-predict-the-future-rather-it-s-to-suggest-all-the/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [That natural selection can produce changes within a type is disputed by no one, not even the staunchest creationist. But that it can transform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/that-natural-selection-can-produce-changes-within-a-type-is-disputed/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [“You really did uplift me. You gave me the perspective and point of view and focus I needed to become truly conscious. Without you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/you-really-did-uplift-me-you-gave-me-the-perspective-and-point-of/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [I'm often characterized as an optimistic writer, and certainly my 'Neanderthal Parallax' and 'WWW' trilogies shade toward the utopian. I like to think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/i-m-often-characterized-as-an-optimistic-writer-and-certainly-my/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [I started wondering why it is that people line up behind charismatic leaders. It's easy to understand the emergence of a figure who's narcissistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/i-started-wondering-why-it-is-that-people-line-up-behind-charismatic/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [When you're changing centuries, people get curious about the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/when-you-re-changing-centuries-people-get-curious-about-the-future/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Real people are complex, contradictory, and have their own motivations - they can't just be mouthpieces for the writers' point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/real-people-are-complex-contradictory-and-have-their-own-motivations/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [“All right,” he said. “Since you asked, Webmind is an emergent quantum-computational system based on a stable null-sigma condensate that resists decoherence thanks to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/all-right-he-said-since-you-asked-webmind-is-an-emergent-quantum/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Social progress is a big thing for me. Although science fiction is traditionally concerned with the hard sciences, which is chemistry, physics, and, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/social-progress-is-a-big-thing-for-me-although-science-fiction-is/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Fiction is all about vicarious experiences and getting into other people's heads in a way that no other art form lets you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/fiction-is-all-about-vicarious-experiences-and-getting-into-other/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [Secrecy was the problem; transparency the obvious cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/secrecy-was-the-problem-transparency-the-obvious-cure/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [I'm a member of the Writers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of Canada.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/i-m-a-member-of-the-writers-guild-of-america-and-the-writers-guild-of/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) [Explore all 116 Robert J. Sawyer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) ## More Fiction quotes > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [The thing about science fiction is that it's totally wide open. But it's wide open in a conditional way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-butler/the-thing-about-science-fiction-is-that-it-s-totally-wide-open-but-it/) [Octavia Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-butler/) > [I do think that theater is a great venue for science fiction, and not just adaptations but also original work. I also think some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-einhorn/i-do-think-that-theater-is-a-great-venue-for-science-fiction-and-not/) Edward Einhorn > [Fiction is a way of exploring possibilities present but undreamt of in the living of a single life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/fiction-is-a-way-of-exploring-possibilities-present-but-undreamt-of/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [I love writing fiction and can do it anywhere - I once even missed a flight because I was so engrossed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prue-leith/i-love-writing-fiction-and-can-do-it-anywhere-i-once-even-missed-a/) [Prue Leith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prue-leith/) > [“The fiction will seek the real.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coheed-and-cambria/the-fiction-will-seek-the-real/) Coheed and Cambria > [I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/i-think-that-most-of-us-anyway-read-these-stories-that-we-know-are/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [The danger that may really threaten (crime fiction) is that soon there will be more writers than readers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-danger-that-may-really-threaten-crime-fiction-is-that-soon-there/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [There's always that discussion about fiction about how do you market it - these are books for boys, these are books for girls, these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-a-weatherly/there-s-always-that-discussion-about-fiction-about-how-do-you-market/) [L.A. Weatherly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-a-weatherly/) > [Inspiration comes from so many sources. Music, other fiction, the non-fiction I read, TV shows, films, news reports, people I know, stories I hear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trudi-canavan/inspiration-comes-from-so-many-sources-music-other-fiction-the-non/) [Trudi Canavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trudi-canavan/) > [I'm not interested in making a diagnostic novel or a concern. I'm 100 percent committed in fiction to the pleasure principle - that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/i-m-not-interested-in-making-a-diagnostic-novel-or-a-concern-i-m-100/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [“His hands on my waist he gently pulled me n embrace. I could feel his breath on my face our lips were about to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-eglinger/his-hands-on-my-waist-he-gently-pulled-me-n-embrace-i-could-feel-his/) [Nicole Eglinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-eglinger/) > [In early drafts, one of the trickiest things for me to do was to realize that the techniques and devices that make readable and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-rooney/in-early-drafts-one-of-the-trickiest-things-for-me-to-do-was-to/) [Kathleen Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-rooney/) > [I don't think it's always a sign of respect for persons (inside or outside of fiction) to pretend to be able to represent, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-lerner/i-don-t-think-it-s-always-a-sign-of-respect-for-persons-inside-or/) [Ben Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-lerner/) > [Metafiction says something. It has to do with taking a large fiction itself and writing within it; that kind of self-reflecting writing that emerges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-coover/metafiction-says-something-it-has-to-do-with-taking-a-large-fiction/) [Robert Coover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-coover/) [Browse all 7,410 Fiction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the things that science fiction gets to do is thought experiments about the human condition that would be impractical or unethical to conduct in real life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert J. 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