The individualist

(On his 100th birth anniversary)

Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988)

He is one individualist whom one can afford to like because he recognized the limit of reason itself. His libertarianism was based on faith on humanity, that way why he could deal with religion and nationalism. In other words one who admitted the possibility of transcendent.

What is more even though he changed his orientation from a socialist/communist to individualist/libertarian, he always compelled to think, pushing the envelope in his stories.

Both he and Asimov categorized their body of works as social science fiction. This in my view is a mistake. While their works have commentary and speculation on future of human society, their treatments are vastly different.

For Asimov social conditions propelled the story forward, guiding the action of actors, but the commentary was always in background with the emphasis upon the actors, it was only in the climax that social conditions were dwelt upon usually by the protagonist.
Examples are The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun etc.

In contrast, Heinlein stories had social commentary were the very part of narrative. Indeed in most of his famous works contain monologues by protoganists (acting as his proxy) which delineate his views on philosophy, society and role of freedom. His commentary were more often than not device to further the narrative in a much more direct way.

What a man !

Pragmatics of patriotism speech

Price of liberty monologue by Dubois in Statship Troopers

My posts on Heinlein

Read his defining novels

1. StarShip Troopers *
2. Stranger in a Strange Land*
3. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress*