Otis Singleton
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick, which explores the role of empathy in a futuristic world where humans and androids coexist. The novel raises questions about the value of android life and the implications of combining human emotions with technology. Dick's metaphysical reflection on the meaning of life is centred on empathy, with each character grappling with what it means to be empathetic and how this affects their worth. The novel introduced several new terms, including chickenhead, referring to a Special with diminished mental faculties, and conapt, meaning an apartment building.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Theme | Empathy, binary |
| Plot | A test to determine if a being is human or android |
| Profession | Bounty hunter |
| Person with diminished mental faculties | Chickenhead |
| Apartment building | Conapt |
| Radioactive substance after World War Terminus | Dust |
| Tool to shock people after cardiac arrest | Electro-spark machine |
| Tool used by Mercerites | Empathy box |
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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
Bounty hunter
In Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter responsible for tracking down and "retiring" illegal android immigrants from Mars. Deckard is a bounty hunter with the San Francisco Police Department. He is the novel's protagonist, and the story begins with him as a selfish, self-involved cop who sees no value in android life.
Deckard's job is to kill the androids. He must place all his faith in the Voigt-Kampff test, a series of questions that measure the empathic response in its subjects. Without an accurate test, Deckard might kill a human by mistake. The key conflict of the novel is how to tell the difference between a human and an android, and if such a difference even exists.
Deckard's work is not without its challenges. In the rising action of the story's plot, he perceives a growing difference between himself and others in his line of work. He begins to empathize with his victims, feeling bad for ending the lives of the androids, where before he hadn't considered them to be living things at all. This crisis of conscience, and the blurring of the lines between human and android, illustrate the question at the heart of the novel: what does it mean to be human?
Deckard's experiences as a bounty hunter lead him to question his own humanity and the nature of empathy. He grapples with the idea that someone can be human, and what it means that the answer isn’t always obvious. He also faces moral dilemmas, such as when he is appalled by the ruthless behaviour of another bounty hunter, Phil Resch, and questions himself about his job and humanity.
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Chickenhead
In the 1968 novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick, a "chickenhead" is a human with diminished mental faculties or sub-standard intelligence. The character J.S. Isidore is a "chickenhead", often derided as lacking intellect despite his capacity for empathy and innate knowledge of the world.
The term "chickenhead" is believed to be sci-fi slang for "birdbrained", referring to the perceived stupidity of chickens. The term is used pejoratively to describe those with lower intelligence, and is considered a derogatory term.
The novel explores the theme of empathy and its relation to humanity, and Isidore's character serves as a critique of a society that devalues certain members based on their perceived lack of intelligence. Despite being labelled a "chickenhead", Isidore is the only character motivated by empathy, and his ability to distinguish between humans and androids through careful observation highlights the irony of the term.
The novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" differs significantly from its 1982 film adaptation, "Blade Runner", directed by Ridley Scott. While the film presents a dark, neon-lit, futuristic aesthetic, the novel depicts a run-down, dusty, and non-futuristic world. Despite their differences, the two works are seen as complementary, exploring similar themes from distinct angles.
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Conapt
In the novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick, a 'conapt' is a name for an apartment building. In the context of the novel, a conapt is described as "half-occupied", suggesting that the building is not fully inhabited. This description evokes a sense of eeriness and abandonment, contrasting the pre-war era when entire buildings in the suburbs were left empty.
The term 'conapt' is likely a portmanteau of the words "condominium" and "apartment", reflecting the nature of the dwelling as a multi-unit residential structure. In the futuristic world of the novel, where humans coexist with androids, the conapt represents a form of urban housing.
The mention of a "half-occupied conapt building" in the novel carries a deeper significance in terms of population density. In a time when the population may have been affected by the aftermath of World War Terminus, the occupancy rate of buildings like conapt buildings becomes a notable aspect of societal life.
The conapt, as a type of apartment building, serves as a backdrop to the lives of the characters in the novel. It reflects the state of the world and the impact of past events, such as World War Terminus, on the distribution of the population. The conapt also symbolizes the blending of individual living spaces, much like the blurring of boundaries between humans and androids, a central theme in the novel.
Overall, the conapt is a pivotal setting in the novel, influencing the characters' experiences and interactions and providing a glimpse into the societal dynamics of a future where the presence of androids challenges traditional notions of empathy and humanity.
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Dust
"Dust to Dust" is a prequel comic series to the novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick. Written by Chris Roberson and illustrated by Robert Adler, the comic series explores the aftermath of World War Terminus, a global conflict that poisoned the planet with radiation and dust, leading to the mass exodus of humans and the decimation of animal life.
The story centres around two android hunters, Malcolm Reed, a "special" human with empathic abilities, and Charlie Victor, an android posing as a hunter. Reed is reluctant to continue the job, wishing to resume medication that dulls his emotional sensitivity, while Victor grapples with his own identity as an android. The narrative also introduces Samantha Wu, a researcher striving to save the remaining animals from the lethal effects of radiation and dust.
While "Dust to Dust" retains the core themes of its parent novel, some critics argue that it falls short in seamlessly weaving certain plotlines into the main story, particularly Wu's efforts to save the animals and her exploration of the Mercerism religion. Despite this, the comic series is praised for its artistic style, with Adler's illustrations complementing the harshness of the android-hunting narrative and the softer story of Wu's endeavours.
As a prequel, "Dust to Dust" provides context for the world of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", shedding light on the emergence of androids and the pivotal role they play in a post-apocalyptic society ravaged by war and environmental degradation.
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Electro-spark machine
In the novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick, an electro-spark machine is a device used to resuscitate people who have suffered cardiac arrest. In appearance, it resembles a defibrillator.
The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world, in a futuristic 1992 (2021 in later editions), where Earth's atmosphere has been rendered highly radioactive due to a global war. In this context, the electro-spark machine is a crucial piece of technology, as it can mean the difference between life and death for those who experience cardiac arrest.
The electro-spark machine is one of many technological innovations that feature in the novel. Dick's work often explores the blurring lines between humans and machines, and the ethical implications of this. In a world where machines are designed to surpass humans in physicality, the electro-spark machine is an example of a machine that can perform a vital function in preserving human life.
The electro-spark machine can be seen as a symbol of the increasing presence of technology in our lives, and the potential benefits it can bring. It is a tool that can be used to save lives, and as such, it represents the positive potential of technology. This is particularly relevant in a world where technology and machines have become quasi-alive, as described by Dick in a 1972 speech: "Our environment...is in fact beginning more and more to possess what the earnest psychologists fear the primitive sees in his environment: animation.".
Overall, the electro-spark machine is a device that highlights the novel's exploration of the complex relationship between humans and machines, and the potential benefits and challenges that this relationship can bring.
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Frequently asked questions
The novel explores the role of empathy in a futuristic world in which humans live alongside androids.
Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter with the San Francisco Police Department.
A bounty hunter is a person hired to retire (kill) androids.
A tool used by those that practice Mercerism, an empathy box allows a user to tap into the minds of other Mercerites.
