Trystan Casey
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a 1968 science fiction novel by American writer Philip K. Dick. It is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's ecology has collapsed and mankind has been driven off-planet following a global nuclear war. The novel follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who is tasked with retiring (i.e. killing) rogue androids. The book was the inspiration for the 1982 film Blade Runner and its 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049. In 2018, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was the 29th selection for One Book, One Chicago, a program that explored the theme Imagine the Future through various events at the Chicago Public Library and partner locations.
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![By Philip K. Dick - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (2012-02-16) [Paperback]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51s+NVQ6atL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Androids as artificial humans
In Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, the androids are artificial humans built by companies to be incredibly realistic simulacra. These androids are so sophisticated that they are virtually indistinguishable from real men or women. The novel's protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked with finding and "retiring" rogue androids, i.e., killing them. The androids, when cornered, fight back with lethal force.
The novel, written by Philip K. Dick, explores the complexities of what it means to be human. Deckard, a man who hunts "replicants" or androids, questions his own humanity as he realizes that even these artificial beings have their own lives and experiences. The reader is left to wonder if Deckard himself might be one of the androids he hunts, as he exhibits a machine-like lack of empathy, a fundamental distinction between humans and replicants in the novel.
The androids in the novel are designed to be "more human than human," serving as slaves to those who have escaped the war-ravaged Earth for colonies on Mars and beyond. Some of these androids seek freedom and choose to return to Earth, but they are considered rogue and are punished by being "retired" or executed. The novel delves into the ethical confusion surrounding the killing of these increasingly human-like androids, who develop their own desires, such as the desire to understand the meaning of life and avoid death.
The novel also reflects the anxieties of the 1960s, when it was written, including fears of a third world war, post-apocalyptic bleakness, ecological collapse, and the degradation of mankind. It imagines a world where the distinction between real and artificial has become blurred, and even animals are either real or "electric." The novel's title refers to an artificial sheep that dies due to Deckard's neglect, causing him shame.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? has had a significant influence on science fiction, cinema, and popular culture. It has inspired numerous films, including Ridley Scott's Blade Runner and its sequel, Blade Runner 2049, which retain many themes from the novel. The novel has also sparked discussions about the increasing mechanization of humans and the dangers of artificial intelligence.
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Rick Deckard, the bounty hunter
Rick Deckard is the protagonist of Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?'. The book is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's ecology has collapsed, and the planet has been ravaged by a global nuclear war. Deckard is an officially sanctioned bounty hunter, who is commissioned to find rogue androids and "retire" them, or in other words, kill them.
Deckard's character is a hard-boiled investigator dealing coldly with a brutal world full of corruption and stupidity. He is set apart from the other characters by his machine-like lack of empathy for his prey, which is fundamental to Dick's distinction between human and replicant. This distinction is a central theme of the novel, which questions the nature of humanity and asks what it means to be human. This is reflected in the ethical confusion Deckard feels about killing the replicants, and the question of whether Deckard himself may be a replicant is left open.
Deckard's mission is to find and retire six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. These androids are artificial humans built to be so sophisticated that they are almost indistinguishable from real men and women. They are designed to be "more human than human", and serve as slaves to the inhabitants of Earth who have escaped the war-ravaged planet for colonies on Mars and beyond. Some of these androids prefer freedom on Earth to servitude on the colonies, and for this crime, they are punished by being retired, or executed.
The novel was the basis for the 1982 film 'Blade Runner', and the 2017 sequel 'Blade Runner 2049', which both retain many of the novel's themes and characters.
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The novel's influence on sci-fi
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick has had an undeniable influence on the sci-fi genre. Published in 1968, the novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco following a global nuclear war that has rendered Earth's atmosphere highly radioactive, driving mankind off-planet. The story revolves around Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" escaped androids.
The novel has been hailed as a "masterpiece ahead of its time", exploring themes of humanity, identity, morality, and the dangers of artificial intelligence. Its influence can be seen in numerous sci-fi works that followed, including in film, literature, and music.
One of the novel's most significant contributions to sci-fi is its exploration of the blurred lines between humans and androids. Deckard, the protagonist, embodies this ambiguity, as his machine-like lack of empathy towards his prey calls into question whether he might be one of the replicants he hunts. This theme has been a source of inspiration for many sci-fi works that grapple with the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and the potential loss of humanity.
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' also influenced the development of the cyberpunk genre, with its depiction of a futuristic, technologically advanced world filled with artificial life forms. The novel's exploration of the relationship between humans and machines, and the potential consequences of that relationship, has been a key influence on many works of cyberpunk fiction and media.
In addition to its thematic influence, the novel has also had a direct impact on popular culture. It served as the basis for the iconic 1982 film 'Blade Runner', directed by Ridley Scott, and its themes were further explored in the 2017 sequel, 'Blade Runner 2049'. The novel has also inspired comic book series, music, and other adaptations, demonstrating its lasting impact on the sci-fi genre and popular culture as a whole.
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick has left an indelible mark on the world of science fiction, shaping the way writers, filmmakers, and artists approach themes of humanity, technology, and the future.
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The future world of the novel
The future world of Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel, 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' is a dark and dystopian vision of post-World War Earth. Set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, the novel imagines a world where life on Earth has been devastated by a global nuclear conflict, rendering the atmosphere highly radioactive and driving many animal species to extinction.
In this future world, the surviving humans desire any living creature as a companion, and for those who cannot afford a real animal, companies build incredibly realistic simulacra: horses, birds, cats, and sheep. These synthetic creatures are so advanced that they have even created artificial humans, or androids, which are sent to Mars as servants for the colonists who have fled Earth. The novel's protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (i.e. killing) rogue androids that have gone into hiding on Earth, but these androids fight back with lethal force when cornered.
The novel explores the ethical implications of this futuristic world, questioning the nature of humanity and the viability of reality. Deckard's machine-like lack of empathy for his prey blurs the line between human and android, leading to the question of whether Deckard himself may be an android. The novel also introduces the concept of "Mercerism," a religion from which androids are prohibited, further highlighting the differences between humans and their creations.
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' has had a significant influence on science fiction, both in literature and film. It has been adapted into the blockbuster film 'Blade Runner' and its sequel, 'Blade Runner 2049', and has inspired other films such as 'Total Recall', 'Minority Report', and 'A Scanner Darkly'. The novel's exploration of the complexities of human identity and the potential dangers of artificial intelligence continue to resonate with audiences and shape the science fiction genre.
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The novel's themes and philosophy
Since its publication in 1968, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" has significantly influenced literature, film, art, and philosophy. The novel explores various philosophical inquiries about the nature of humanity, technology, and empathy.
One of the central themes of the novel is the blurred lines between humans and androids, with the question of "What makes humans 'humans'?" being a recurring motif. The Voigt-Kampff test, designed to measure emotional responses, becomes a pivotal aspect of the story, challenging the notion that a lack of organic biology equates to a lack of humanity. The novel's characters, such as Pris, exhibit strong emotions and relationships, prompting reflections on what it means to be truly alive.
Empathy, or the lack thereof, is another crucial theme. The novel suggests that empathy is humanity's defining trait, contrasting it with the emotional detachment of androids. Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter, experiences empathy towards the androids he is tasked with "retiring," showcasing how empathy can transcend organic and artificial boundaries. This theme is further explored through the concept of Mercerism, a shared religious experience that allows people to unite and feel mutual suffering.
The novel also delves into the impact of consumerism in a fragmented, dystopian society. The relentless pursuit of status through material possessions, including animals, highlights how consumer culture persists despite environmental and societal collapse. Owning real animals becomes a symbol of prestige and humanity, reflecting the value placed on commodities.
Additionally, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" explores the idea of alienation and disconnection in a world where people are estranged from each other, nature, and even themselves. Deckard's strained marriage and his wife's reliance on the Penfield mood organ to simulate emotions exemplify the emotional distance between them.
The novel's exploration of artificial intelligence and the fragile nature of reality further contribute to its philosophical depth, reflecting ongoing debates about technology's role in human identity and the construction of personal identity.
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Frequently asked questions
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' is a 1968 dystopian science fiction novel by American writer 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 novel follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter who has to "retire" (i.e. kill) rogue androids.
The "electric sheep" in the title refers to an artificial creation that dies due to Deckard's neglect, causing him intense shame. The title highlights the novel's exploration of the distinction between human and android, and the question of what it means to be human.
'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' was written by Philip K. Dick, who was born in Chicago in 1928. The novel was also selected for the One Book, One Chicago program for the 2018-2019 season, during which various events and discussions related to the book were held in Chicago.
