Wiktor Wise
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a 1968 dystopian science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick. The novel 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 tasked with retiring (i.e. killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. Deckard hopes to earn enough money from this mission to buy a live animal to replace his electric sheep and cheer up his depressed wife, Iran. The novel explores themes of empathy, machine intelligence, and the hypocrisies of human existence. It has influenced generations of science fiction writers and inspired several adaptations, including the films Blade Runner (1982) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Publication | 1968 |
| Author | Philip K. Dick |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Setting | Post-apocalyptic San Francisco |
| Main Character | Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter |
| Secondary Plot | John Isidore, a man of sub-par IQ who aids fugitive androids |
| Plot | Rick Deckard is tasked with killing six escaped Nexus-6 model androids |
| Theme | Empathy and machine intelligence |
| Film Adaptations | Blade Runner (1982) and Blade Runner: 2049 (2017) |
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What You'll Learn
Empathy as a distinguishing factor between humans and androids
In the 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, empathy is a central theme and a distinguishing factor between humans and androids. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth's life has been damaged by a global nuclear war, and most animal species are endangered or extinct. Due to the extinction of many animals, owning a live animal has become a status symbol, and only the wealthy can afford them.
The protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. Deckard hopes to earn enough money from this job to buy a real animal to replace his electric sheep, believing that owning a live animal demonstrates empathy and is a sign of being human. Deckard's wife, Iran, is depressed, and he believes that a real animal will help her as well.
Deckard visits the Rosen Association, the manufacturer of the Nexus-6 androids, to learn more about them and confirm the accuracy of the Voigt-Kampff test, which is used to determine if someone is an android by measuring their ability to feel empathy. Despite the company owner's attempts to trick and bribe him, Deckard learns that Rachael Rosen, his host and the supposed niece of the owner, is a Nexus-6 android.
The novel explores the question of what differentiates humans from androids and the importance of maintaining one's humanity in a harsh and deteriorating world. Empathy is presented as a key aspect of what it means to be human, and the characters must grapple with what it means to be empathetic and how it influences their value as individuals.
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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)
The Voigt-Kampff test
In the novel *Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?* by Philip K. Dick, Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (i.e. killing) six Nexus-6 model androids. Deckard travels to Seattle to visit the Rosen Association, the company that manufactures the Nexus-6 androids, to learn more about them. There, he meets Rachael Rosen, the supposed niece of Eldon Rosen, the company's owner.
To determine whether Rachael is an android, Deckard administers the Voigt-Kampff test, which measures empathy by asking a series of questions designed to elicit empathetic responses. The Voigt-Kampff test is a crucial tool for Deckard, as empathy is the key differentiator between humans and androids in this post-apocalyptic world. Due to the extinction of most animal species, pet ownership is a status symbol, and only humans are expected to demonstrate empathy for other life forms by owning and caring for animals.
Despite Eldon Rosen's attempts to trick and bribe Deckard, the Voigt-Kampff test confirms that Rachael is a Nexus-6 android, which she ultimately admits. Deckard's experience with Rachael underscores the complexity of distinguishing between humans and androids, as the line between them becomes increasingly blurred. This incident sets the stage for Deckard's hunt for the remaining rebel androids and raises questions about the nature of empathy and what it means to be human.
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The post-apocalyptic setting
The world of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a post-apocalyptic one, ravaged by a global conflict known as World War Terminus. This war has left the Earth covered in radioactive dust, killing many forms of life and rendering the atmosphere highly radioactive. Most animal species are now extinct, and those that remain are extremely expensive. As a result, pet ownership has become a status symbol, with many people owning electric, robotic equivalents.
The story is set in a fictional version of San Francisco, a city that has been devastated by the war. The world is sparsely populated, with many people having emigrated to off-world colonies on Mars. The government actively encourages emigration to these new colonies, and each colonist is given a personal android (a human-like robot) to aid their transition to their new life. These androids occasionally rebel and attempt to flee to Earth, where bounty hunters are employed to track them down and "retire" (kill) them.
The novel's protagonist, Rick Deckard, is one such bounty hunter. He works with the San Francisco Police Department and is tasked with "retiring" violent and defiant androids who have escaped from Mars to Earth. Deckard hopes that the bounty money he earns will enable him to buy a real animal to replace his electric sheep, which he keeps secret. Owning a real animal is a sign of status and a way for humans to demonstrate their empathy for other life forms. Deckard's wife, Iran, is depressed, and he believes that a real animal may help improve her mental state.
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The influence of noir fiction
The protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter for the San Francisco Police Department, tasked with “retiring” (i.e., killing) androids. This plot point is a classic trope of noir fiction, where the protagonist is often a detective or investigator working within a corrupt or flawed system. The novel's setting, a dystopian future, also draws on the dark and gritty atmosphere common in noir fiction.
The novel's themes of empathy and machine intelligence further showcase the influence of noir fiction. In the novel, the ability to own and care for animals is a sign of empathy, a key differentiator between humans and androids. This exploration of empathy and the lack thereof can be seen as a reflection of the typical noir protagonist, who often displays a cynical and jaded attitude towards the world.
Additionally, the novel's secondary plot, following John Isidore, a man of sub-par IQ who aids the fugitive androids, adds a layer of complexity to the typical noir narrative. This subversion of tropes, where the "hero" is not solely a hard-boiled investigator but also includes a more vulnerable and empathetic character, showcases Dick's play with the noir fiction style.
Overall, the influence of noir fiction on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is significant, shaping the novel's style, themes, and character development, and contributing to its enduring appeal and influence on the science fiction genre.
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The question of human identity
In the novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by Philip K. Dick, the question of human identity is central to the plot and themes. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world, sparsely populated by humans and androids, both yearning for better lives. The protagonist, Rick Deckard, is a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" (killing) six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. Deckard himself owns an electric sheep and hopes to earn enough money from his bounty hunting to buy a real animal, which he believes will comfort his depressed wife, Iran.
The novel explores the theme of empathy and its role in distinguishing humans from androids. Deckard uses the Voigt-Kampff test, which measures empathy, to determine whether an individual is human or android. This test is crucial in the plot, as it is used by Deckard to confirm that Rachael Rosen, his host in Seattle, is a Nexus-6 android. The ability to own and care for animals is also a status symbol in this world, as most animal species are extinct, and live animals are expensive. Deckard believes that owning a real animal will allow him to demonstrate his empathy and, by extension, his humanity.
Throughout the novel, Dick challenges the reader to consider what truly differentiates humans from androids and whether there is a point at which the line between the two becomes blurred. The novel suggests that empathy is a key aspect of human identity, but it also acknowledges the complexities and ambiguities inherent in this distinction. As technology advances, the question of what it means to be human becomes increasingly thought-provoking and uncertain.
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Frequently asked questions
The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco, where Earth's life has been greatly damaged by a nuclear global war. The plot follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with killing six escaped Nexus-6 model androids. Deckard hopes to earn enough money to buy a live animal to replace his electric sheep, which he believes will comfort his depressed wife, Iran.
The novel explores the theme of empathy and what it means to be human. It also delves into the anxieties of the 1960s, such as the threat of nuclear war, the decline of nature, and the degradation of humanity.
The novel was written by American science fiction author Philip K. Dick and was published in 1968.
The title 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep' hints at the exploration of empathy in the novel. The ability to dream implies a certain level of consciousness and emotion, which are typically considered human qualities. By questioning whether androids can dream, the title blurs the line between humans and machines.
Yes, the novel has had a significant influence on popular culture. It served as the basis for the 1982 film 'Blade Runner', directed by Ridley Scott, and its 2017 sequel, 'Blade Runner 2049'. Additionally, a 24-issue comic book series based on the novel was published by BOOM! Studios, and several official sequels to both the novel and the 'Blade Runner' film have been written.
