The divine and science in Aleksandr Beljaev’s Amphibian Man: other possible worlds, between cosmist thinking and Soviet science-fiction
Abstract
Aleksandr Beljaev (1884-1942) is widely regarded as the first professional Russian science fiction writer and one of the pioneers of Soviet science fiction. This essay explores the impact of cosmist thought, also known as Russian Cosmism, on Beljaev’s work, with a particular focus on the novel Amphibian Man (1928). It examines the creation of possible worlds in which humanity can extend life and overcome death through the ‘new religion’ of science and technology. The analysis of Beljaev’s work considers the influence of early 20th century Russian cosmist thought in a unique and innovative way.
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References
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