That’s what I found so stimulating in Ted Chiang’s writing-it’s not character-driven or plot-based, but about elaborating on an abstract idea.

It would maybe be more fitting to describe these as speculative fiction even though I didn’t love them all, they certainly all have incredibly original ideas at their root. This leads to more theological/philosophical questions about good, evil, God, and what it means to be human-and at what point we cease to be such. I picked it up after seeing Arrival, which I found to be the most original and refreshing take on a sci-fi trope that I’d seen in a long time, maybe ever.Ĭontrary to most mainstream sci-fi, these stories are about the inner space and ideas, especially about analyzing patterns of mathematics, linguistics, and neuroscience. The event is supported by Union College, the Philosophy Department and the Ichabod Spencer Foundation.This is Ted Chiang’s only collected published work, and it’s truly something else. The visiting philosophers are Kiki Berk (Southern New Hampshire University), Rebecca Chan (San Jose State University), Noelle Leslie Dela Cruz (De La Salle University), Don Fallis (Northeastern University), Hannah Kim (Macalaster College), Ned Markosian (UMass Amherst), Bradley Rettler (University of Wyoming) and Katherine Ward (Bucknell University). They will discuss the philosophical significance of Chiang’s work, with the goal of writing a book called Ted Chiang and Philosophy. On May 13 and the morning of May 14, Chiang will also participate in a closed seminar with nine visiting philosophers and two Union students. The Q&A, also open to the public, will be held at 2 p.m. “I’m thrilled and grateful that students and the entire Union community will be able to engage with such an important and excellent author,” he added.

“Ted Chiang’s writing raises valuable questions about a variety of philosophical topics, including the metaphysics of time aesthetics and the value of beauty the ethics of technology and AI the philosophy of math and the philosophy of religion.”

Colleagues in English, biology, and other disciplines teach his work as well,” said David Friedell, assistant professor of philosophy and organizer of the event. “I teach Ted Chiang’s writing in many of my philosophy classes. On Saturday, May 14, Chiang will give a Q&A as part of the Union College Philosophy Department workshop, “Ted Chiang and Philosophy.” To augment the conversation, students, faculty and staff are invited to a free screening of “Arrival” Thursday, May 12, in Karp Hall 105 (5 – 7 p.m.)

Ted chiang's story of your life