Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Rick Deckard is the protagonist of Philip K. DickÆs Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. Deckard is a bounty hunter in futuristic San Francisco. Earth is covered by a layer of radioactive dust due to World War Terminus, in which so many living beings perished that a ôliveö animal now costs tens of thousands of dollars and represents a status symbol. Deckard is one of the humans still living on planet Earth who refuses to emigrate to one of the space colonies now inhabited by humans and artificially created humans or androids. These androids were built to do colonizing labor in space and to provide human beings with companionship. However, they often kill humans and escape to Earth. When they do, it is up to bounty hunters like Deckard to distinguish them from human beings and then kill or retire them.

In his book World Religions, Huston Smith discusses the meaning of peace, understanding and human concern. When he does so he argues that those who listen are those who wish to become one with others:

Those who listen work for peace, a peace built not on ecclesiastical or political hegemonies but on understanding and mutual concern. For understanding. . . brings respect; and respect prepares the way for a higher power, love û the only power that can quench the flames of fear, suspicion, and prejudice, and provide the means by which the people of this small but precious Earth can become one to one another (Smith 1999).

. . .
before Deckard fell in love with Rachael, viewing her as a human being. This empathy for an android is exactly the emotion lacking in androids and makes Deckard question his own humanity and reality even more. After dealing with the ôchickenheadö J. R. Isadore, Rick has the following thoughts, ôThe chickenhead knows theyÆre androids; he knew it already, before I told him. But he doesnÆt understand. On the other hand, who does? Do I? Did I?ö (Dick 1996). Human beings are often faced with a variety of complex emotions, moods and feelings. Human beings also reach out to others human beings and animals. Unfortunately, because of World War Terminus, there are few live animals left on planet Earth. Owning any real animal is expensive and affordable to only the wealthy. However, to help human beings maintain contact with living beings, a series of electronic animals has been created that are as close to the real thing as androids are to human beings. Rick has lost his real sheep and now owns an electronic replacement but laments this condition. He constantly checks his copy of SidneyÆs Animal & Fowl Catalogue for the latest animal prices in the hopes he might one day afford one. He adopts his bounty hunter job in order to ear
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Approximate Word count = 4046
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page)

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