Molly Ayala
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a 1968 dystopian science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war. The novel brings up themes of empathy and machine intelligence and centres on the question of what makes humans human. The book served as the basis for the 1982 film Blade Runner and its 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049, both of which retained many themes of the novel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Publication | 1968 |
| Author | Philip K. Dick |
| Genre | Science fiction, dystopian, noir |
| Themes | Empathy, machine intelligence, nature of humanity, reality |
| Plot | Bounty hunter Rick Deckard must "retire" six escaped androids |
| Setting | Post-apocalyptic San Francisco, futuristic 1992 (2021 in later editions) |
| Film Adaptations | Blade Runner (1982), Blade Runner 2049 (2017) |
| Influence | Influenced generations of science fiction writers, influenced cyberpunk and metal music |
| Style | Satirical, complex, philosophical |
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What You'll Learn
The nature of humanity
The 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick explores the nature of humanity in a post-apocalyptic world. Set in a futuristic 1992 (2021 in later editions) after a global war, the story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) escaped androids. The novel questions what it means to be human, suggesting that androids lack empathy, which is what distinguishes them from humans.
The central premise of the book revolves around the idea that androids are different from humans because they lack empathy. This is illustrated through examples of androids being unable to relate to the suffering of animals, such as Priss cutting the legs of a spider and Rachael throwing a goat off a roof. The androids' lack of empathy extends to their treatment of humans as well, as they kill humans to escape from Mars and flee to Earth. However, it is noted that such behaviour is not uncommon among humans either, calling into question whether empathy is truly what sets humans apart from androids.
The novel also explores the theme of human connection and group dynamics. Deckard, the human protagonist, is portrayed as a loner who struggles to connect with others, including his wife. In contrast, the escaped androids stick together and rely on each other, despite the increased risk of being found by bounty hunters like Deckard. This dynamic challenges the notion that humans inherently possess empathy and form groups, as the androids display a sense of camaraderie and loyalty that some humans lack.
The concept of Mercerism, a quasi-religious movement in the novel, further complicates the question of humanity. Mercerism involves a false idol, and the fact that it is "fake" does not seem to affect its followers. This reflects Dick's exploration of what it means to be human, as the followers of Mercerism find meaning and connection despite the artifice at its core.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? also reflects on the increasing presence of technology in human life and its potential sentience. In the novel, the environment is described as becoming "quasi-alive," mirroring the themes of artificiality and the blurring of lines between human and machine. This is further emphasised by the setting, where the distinction between real and artificial is blurred, and owning a live animal has become a status symbol in a world where most species are endangered or extinct.
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Empathy as a defining quality of humanity
In Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, empathy is a central theme. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been damaged by a nuclear global war. Rick Deckard, the protagonist, is a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (i.e., killing) escaped androids. The androids are designed to be "more human than human" and serve as slaves to the lucky inhabitants of Earth who have escaped to off-world colonies.
The novel questions the nature of humanity by exploring the distinction between humans and androids, with empathy presented as a defining characteristic of humanity. The androids are portrayed as emotionally detached and lacking genuine empathy, often engaging in cruel behaviours, such as Pris' mutilation of a spider. In contrast, John Isidore, a character ostracized by society, displays profound empathy, even towards the androids exploiting him. His kindness and attachment to the mutilated spider elevate him as a moral counterpoint to Rick, illustrating that even those deemed "lesser" by societal standards can embody the core trait of humanity.
The Voight-Kampff test, designed to distinguish between humans and androids, specifically aims to test the capacity for empathy. It measures physiological reactions to various stimuli, including sex, animals, and murder. However, the novel also blurs the lines between humans and androids, as some human characters, like Rick, display a machine-like lack of empathy, while some androids, like Luba and Rachael, exhibit human-like qualities.
The concept of Mercerism, a shared religious experience in the novel, is closely tied to empathy. Mercerism allows people to unite and experience mutual suffering by fusing with Mercer, the religion's messianic figurehead. The opportunity to experience empathy through Mercerism speaks to the normal human desire for empathy. However, the novel also critiques the lack of genuine empathy in its human characters, who frequently discuss empathy but fail to display it in their actions.
Overall, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? uses the theme of empathy to explore the complexities of humanity and challenge the assumptions that define the boundaries between humans and androids. It prompts readers to question what truly makes us human and reflects on the potential consequences of a society that prioritizes certain attributes, such as empathy, above others.
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The ethical confusion of killing replicants
In Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter who has to "retire" (i.e. kill) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids, also known as "replicants". These replicants are designed to be "more human than human" and serve as slaves to the wealthy inhabitants of Earth who have escaped the nuclear-ravaged planet for off-world colonies. Deckard's mission is to hunt down and kill these escaped replicants, but as the story progresses, he finds himself increasingly ethically confused about the morality of killing them.
The central idea behind the book is that androids lack empathy, which is supposed to be a defining characteristic of humanity. Deckard himself displays a machine-like lack of empathy, which is fundamental to the distinction between humans and replicants in the novel. However, as the story unfolds, Deckard's own humanity is called into question, as he exhibits a lack of connection with other people, including his wife, and seems to lack empathy himself. This ethical confusion is further highlighted by the quasi-religious undertones of persuasion and vicarious lived experience in the novel, specifically through the religion of Mercerism, from which replicants are prohibited.
Deckard's ethical confusion about killing the replicants is also evident in his realization that the "electric things have their lives, too". He acknowledges that the replicants have a form of existence and sentience, which further complicates the morality of taking their lives. This theme of questioning what it means to be human is central to the novel, and Deckard's growing uncertainty about the nature of humanity and the viability of reality itself is a key aspect of his character arc.
The escaped replicants, on the other hand, seem to display a sense of group loyalty and reliance on each other, which is contrary to the expectation that they lack empathy. While their lack of empathy is mostly related to the care of animals, with clear examples of cruelty, they also stick together and seem to respond to each other's deaths. This blurs the line between human and replicant even further, as it calls into question the idea that a lack of empathy is what truly separates the two.
Ultimately, the ethical confusion of killing replicants in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? serves to question the nature of humanity and the viability of reality. The novel invites readers to consider the implications of a world where the lines between human and machine are increasingly blurred and where the absence of empathy may be more of a reflection of society than a defining characteristic of non-human entities.
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The influence of noir fiction
Stylistically, Dick intentionally emulates the noir fiction style of scene delivery. The protagonist, Rick Deckard, is portrayed as a hard-boiled investigator navigating a brutal, corrupt, and apathetic world, reminiscent of the gritty and cynical atmosphere prevalent in noir fiction. This stylistic choice sets the tone for the novel's exploration of its themes.
Thematically, the novel delves into the complexities of human nature and the blurred lines between humans and machines. Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) escaped androids, embodies the noir anti-hero archetype. Like many noir protagonists, Deckard is a loner, struggling with ethical confusion and questioning his own humanity as he grapples with the moral implications of his job. The novel challenges the definition of humanity by exploring the emotional capabilities of androids and comparing them to those of humans, such as empathy and the ability to form connections.
The noir influence is also evident in the novel's secondary plot, which follows John Isidore, a man of sub-par IQ who aids the fugitive androids. This plotline adds depth to the exploration of empathy and the nature of humanity by presenting a character who, despite his intellectual limitations, exhibits compassion and understanding, contrasting with Deckard's machine-like detachment.
Additionally, the noir theme of corruption and a sense of powerlessness in a harsh world is reflected in the novel's post-apocalyptic setting, where Earth has been devastated by a global nuclear war, and the surviving humans struggle to maintain their humanity in a world dominated by technology and artificiality.
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The American Dream
The novel's protagonist, Rick Deckard, embodies the dark side of the American Dream. He is a bounty hunter, tasked with "retiring" (or killing) escaped androids. Deckard's profession is a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked capitalism and the pursuit of personal gain, which are often associated with the American Dream. Deckard's machine-like lack of empathy towards his prey calls into question his own humanity and suggests a blurred line between man and machine.
The androids in the novel, known as "replicants," represent the underclass in this future society. They are designed to serve their human masters and are considered property, highlighting the stark inequality that can result from the pursuit of the American Dream. The replicants' desire for freedom and their ability to form connections and rely on each other contrast with Deckard's isolation and lack of empathy. This dynamic challenges the notion of what it means to be human and underscores the importance of community and empathy in defining our humanity.
The novel also explores the American Dream through its treatment of animals. In a world where most animal species are endangered or extinct, the ability to own a real animal has become a status symbol. This dynamic further highlights the inequality and artificiality of this future society, where the American Dream has been perverted by consumerism and materialism.
Ultimately, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' presents a cautionary tale about the dark side of the American Dream. It warns of the potential consequences of unchecked capitalism, consumerism, and technological advancement. By exploring themes of humanity, empathy, and community, the novel invites readers to question the values that underpin the American Dream and consider the importance of ethical behaviour and social responsibility.
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Frequently asked questions
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' is a 1968 dystopian science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick. It is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war. The story follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who has to kill six escaped androids.
The book explores the theme of empathy and what it means to be human. It questions whether empathy is what makes humans unique and different from androids. It also touches on religion, with the concept of Mercerism, and the viability of reality.
The book has been a source of inspiration for many Hollywood films, including 'Total Recall' (1990), 'Minority Report' (2002), 'Paycheck' (2003), and 'A Scanner Darkly' (2006). It also influenced the film ''Blade Runner' (1982), directed by Ridley Scott, and its sequel, 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017).
The ending of the book is ambiguous and open to interpretation. It explores the idea of distinguishing between real and fake and the importance of empathy. It also raises questions about the protagonist Deckard's true nature, suggesting that he might be one of the replicants he hunts.
