姜峯楠和劉宇昆的思辨短篇小說： 共構與非人類的「共同世界」

Abstract

本論文深入研究二十一世紀作家姜峯楠和劉宇昆的思辨短篇小說，通過兩位作家的設想，想像出以「人類」與「非人類」為主題所共存的世界，這些主題涵蓋廣泛，包括機器、人工智能、上傳的意識、外星人等等，透過借鑒新物質主義布魯諾·拉圖爾所提出的“共存世界”概念，來探討兩位作家如何挑戰人類與非人類的二元論思維，並透過協商不同領域的差異和互相理解的方式，共構和諧的“共存世界”願景。首先是姜峯楠的短篇小說如何擺脫根植於科學範式的傳統「人類與非人類」二元對立，強調關心「非人類」福祉以及超越以人類為中心思維模式的重要性，而劉宇昆的作品則通過詩意書寫、隱喻和意象等錯綜複雜方式來編織多元的世界，利用不同的敘事手法促進對「非人類」多樣性的理解。通過此分析，對兩位作家的作品提出新穎的解釋方式，同時也揭示思辨短篇小說為我們未來與新興「非人類」主體的關係提供反思的潛力，在當代廣泛對於推測性的未知實體討論中，這項研究能提供切實有影響性的的反思，有助於塑造我們對未來的理解。

This thesis delves into the speculative short stories of twenty-first century authors Ted Chiang and Ken Liu. Through their narratives, both writers envision worlds where coexistence with imagined “nonhuman” entities becomes a central theme. These entities encompass a diverse range, from machines and artificial intelligence to digitally uploaded consciousness and extraterrestrial intelligence. Drawing on the concept of the “common world” proposed by new materialist Bruno Latour, this study investigates how Chiang and Liu challenge dualistic thinking concerning human and nonhuman beings. By negotiating differences across various grounds and striving to comprehend each other’s agencies and modes of existence, the writers propose ways to achieve a vision of a harmonious “common world.” This thesis shows how Chiang’s short stories break away from traditional human-nonhuman” dichotomies rooted in scientific paradigms, emphasizing the importance of caring for the well-being of “nonhumans” and acknowledging their existence beyond human-centered modes of thinking. Conversely, Liu’s works intricately weave complex worlds through poetic prose, metaphors, and imageries, utilizing diverse narratives as a means to foster an understanding of the multiplicities of “nonhumans.” Through this comparative analysis, this thesis provides novel interpretations of Chiang and Liu’s narratives while shedding light on the potential of speculative short fiction in offering alternative perspectives on our relationship with emerging “nonhuman” entities. As contemporary discussions grapple with speculative unknown entities, the findings from this research offer timely reflections and contribute to shaping our future understanding.