How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"We received some last shipment. There's hardly any left. Space knows when we'll get more—if ever."
Notice how Space gets the capital and kind of replaces the word "God" in the sentence? Yeah, that's Golden Age science fiction for you. Always with that wonderful B-movie dialogue.
Quote #2
A civilization falling. Nuclear power forgotten. Science fading into mythology—until the Foundation had stepped in. (III.1.10)
They say one man's mythology is another man's religion. In Foundation, the old saying holds true—but with science.
Quote #3
"I started that way at first because the barbarians looked upon our science as a sort of magical sorcery, and it was easiest to get them to accept it on that basis." (III.1.68)
This actually happened all the time in history. Back in the day, people use to fear that cameras would steal their soul when it took a picture. Sure, it seems funny now, but the science behind the camera was way beyond what most people learned at the time. Can you think of any science people still fear today? Why?
Quote #4
"Surely, he didn't call it radioactive synthetics, now?"
"I guess not! It was the Holy Food to him."
[Hardin] smiled. "Go on." (III.2.15-17)
It's all in the way you say it. "Radioactive synthetics" just lacks that pizzazz. Now, Holy Food? That's got a spicy, mythological flavor.
Quote #5
Lepold said confusedly, "I mean, if there were really a Galactic Spirit, he…uh…it mightn't like it. Don't you think?" (III.3.65)
Perhaps the best example of why Hardin went with religion to mask his science power grab. Even the King, who fears no man in his kingdom, is afraid of a deity he really believes in. Brilliant, Hardin, brilliant!
Quote #6
Bort considered. "Ethically, it's fine. It scarcely varies from the various philosophies of the old Empire. High moral standards and all that. There's nothing to complain about from that viewpoint. Religion is one of the great civilizing influences of history […]—" (III.4.16)
All right, we'll admit it.Foundation probably doesn't paint religion in the best light, but that doesn't mean it has nothing good to say about the subject matter. For your approval, we present this quote as evidence.
Quote #7
"Do you realize, your highness, that an attack on the Foundation is nothing short of sacrilege of the highest order?"
Wienis was groping visibly for self-control. "Give me none of that, Hardin. Save it for the mob."
"My dear Wienis, whoever [sic] do you think I am saving it for?" (III.6.61-63)
Here, Asimov really hits close to Marx. Marx is famous for saying, "Religion is the opiate [i.e., drug] of the masses." Hmmm, kind of sounds like Hardin's been reading up on his German economists.
Quote #8
"[…] the kings of the Four Kingdoms accepted the religion of science that made them divine; and that same religion of science was their bridle and saddle, for it placed the life blood of nuclear power in the hands of the priesthood—who took their orders from [the Foundation] […]." (III.8.14)
The Four Kings thought that religion was giving them what they wanted, but in reality, religion was tying them down to the Foundation. Here, the Four Kings find themselves in the same situation that the Board of Trustees did in at the end of "The Encyclopedists." How about that for irony?
Quote #9
"It's a form of ancestor worship. Their traditions tell of an evil past from which they were saved by the simple and virtuous heroes of the past generations. [...] Advanced science and nuclear power in particular became identified with the old imperial regime they remember with horror." (IV.3.27)
Religion was a powerful political weapon for the Foundation. The one thing it couldn't stand up against? Another religion. The two just butt heads in Asimov's universe.
Quote #10
"No. I'm a Master Trader. Money is my religion. All this mysticism and hocus-pocus of the missionaries annoy me, and I'm glad you refuse to countenance it." (V.5.19)
Religions come in all shapes and sizes. And although worship of science helped the Foundation in the past, it looks like a new "religion" will be needed as the universe changes. Any ideas? (Calling L. Ron Hubbard….)