The intellectuals of the late Qing Dynasty represented by Liang Qichao attached great importance to the communication advantages and social functions of fiction. As a combined product of literature and science, science fiction also naturally assumes the important mission of disseminating scientific knowledge and enlightening the public. However, when specific fictional texts are examined, the complicated understandings of science of the late Qing authors are revealed. It is discovered that many authors either held suspicious views of science, wrote stories against common sense, or believed in the philosophy of religion. These various attitudes, emotions and beliefs represent some common epistemological features during the process of science exploration, signifying progressive values in modern Chinese thought.

science fiction  /  views of science  /  late Qing Dynasty