“Could science fiction be the first literature to completely overcome modern humanism?”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
- He became a representative figure of postwar Japanese literature, and was highly acclaimed both at home and abroad. He pursued his own unique aesthetic with themes of beauty and death, and ultimately committed seppuku at a Self-Defense Forces garrison. His life, which combined literature with action, continues to have a strong influence today.
Japanese
「近代ヒューマニズムを完全に克服する最初の文学はＳＦではないか」
English
“Could science fiction be the first literature to completely overcome modern humanism?”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that science fiction (SF) may represent the first form of literature capable of completely overcoming the limitations of modern humanism. Modern humanism, often characterized by its emphasis on human potential, individual rights, and the rationality of the human experience, is seen by Mishima as an intellectual tradition that has, over time, become narrow or restrictive in its view of the world. In contrast, science fiction—a genre that often explores alienation, technological advancement, and the future possibilities of humanity—challenges the human-centered worldview that humanism promotes. SF, by venturing beyond traditional humanistic concerns, opens up new avenues of thought about the role of humanity in an increasingly mechanized, technological, and potentially post-human world.
Mishima’s critique reflects his broader discontent with the intellectual trends of the modern age. He believed that modern humanism, with its focus on human-centered morality and rationalist ideals, had become inadequate for addressing the complexities and challenges of the modern world. In this sense, science fiction offers a form of literature that transcends traditional humanist values, providing a space for exploration of alternative possibilities for humanity, including those that might involve non-human entities, technological progress, or societal restructuring beyond what humanism allows. Mishima’s statement suggests that SF, in its speculative nature, can reimagine the future in a way that is not bound by the constraints of human-centered thinking.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to the evolution of literature and thought in response to contemporary societal challenges. Today, science fiction continues to explore complex ethical dilemmas related to artificial intelligence, genetic modification, climate change, and the future of humanity. It often questions the boundaries of what it means to be human, intelligent, or alive, challenging the anthropocentric views of traditional humanism. Mishima’s perspective invites us to consider how science fiction might be seen as a progressive force that transcends the limitations of humanism by opening up new forms of understanding about humanity’s place in the universe. It encourages reflection on how the genre’s speculative nature allows for the exploration of worlds that reshape or go beyond the traditional humanist ideals of rationality, ethics, and individualism.
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