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Genre

Soft Science Fiction

Speculative and Fantastic Fiction

Soft science fiction, or soft SF, is a category of science fiction with two related definitions, both set in contrast to hard science fiction. It can refer to fiction exploring the soft sciences, such as psychology, sociology or anthropology, as opposed to the hard sciences, or it can refer more broadly to science fiction that prioritizes human emotions over scientific accuracy or plausibility.

Facts
Notable Example
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin 1
Defining Trait
Prioritizes human emotions over scientific accuracy or plausibility 1
Connections

Form Of Genre

Sources
1. Soft science fiction - Wikipedia
  • History section, Le Guin paragraph
    In calling out specific examples from this period, McGuirk describes Ursula K. Le Guin's 1969 novel The Left Hand of Darkness as 'a soft SF classic'.
  • Lead section, paragraph 1
    It can also refer to science fiction which prioritizes human emotions over scientific accuracy or plausibility.
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