Cover of A Case of Conscience

A Case of Conscience

by James Blish · 1958

After Such Knowledge seriesbook 4 of 4

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Father Ruiz-Sanchez is a dedicated man—a priest who is also a scientist, and a scientist who is also a human being. He has found no insoluble conflicts in his beliefs or his ethics . . . until he is sent to Lithia. There he comes upon a race of aliens who are admirable in every way except for their total reliance on cold reason; they are incapable of faith or belief.

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Confronted with a profound scientific riddle and ethical quandary, Father Ruiz-Sanchez soon finds himself torn between the teachings of his faith, the teachings of his science, and the inner promptings of his humanity. There is only one solution: He must accept an ancient and unforgivable heresy—and risk the futures of both worlds . . .

Genre
aliens and first contactaliens and first contactMore like thisLess of thisscience fictionscience fictionMore like thisLess of thisfantasyfantasyMore like thisLess of thisadventureadventureMore like thisLess of thisdystopiadystopiaMore like thisLess of this
Themes
religionreligionMore like thisLess of thismusicmusicMore like thisLess of thisChristianChristianMore like thisLess of thismoralitymoralityMore like thisLess of this
Subject
philosophyphilosophyMore like thisLess of thissciencescienceMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
medium · 256 pages

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“If you want more of the same (aliens and first contact about religion), start with these.”

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“If it was the science fiction that hooked you, try one of these.”

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