PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES IN ISAAC ASIMOV'S "NIGHTFALL": SCIENCE, RELIGION, HUMAN NATURE

This article explores the multifaceted philosophical issues embedded within Isaac Asimov’s “Nightfall”, which stands as a seminal piece in the realm of science fiction literature, blending speculative science with deep philosophical inquiry. The research focuses on the nature of truth, the tension between science and religion, the psychology of fear and the unknown, and epistemological questions concerning perception and belief systems. The study reveals that the narrative’s setting serves as a metaphorical backdrop for examining the fragility of human understanding when faced with the unfamiliar. By conducting a literary analysis, the article demonstrates how “Nightfall” transcends the boundaries of traditional science fiction to pose enduring questions about knowledge, belief, civilization, and existential fear. Through the use of conceptual frameworks and comparative literature analysis, Asimov’s work is positioned not only as a story of speculative possibility but also as a profound philosophical treatise on the human condition.