Anthropocentrism in <i>2001: A Space Odyssey</i> and <i>The Three-Body Problem</i>

While both are internationally acclaimed science fiction writers with remarkable attainments, Liu Cixin says that Arthur C. Clarke has been an important influence in his work. Their thematic concerns are similar, as they both represent the awe of indeterminacy in a vast universe, but they differ in their exploration of possibilities that expose the parochiality of anthropocentrism. Clarke's, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Liu's, The Three-Body Problem, describe scenarios where humans confront an alien civilization. This article presents a literary interpretation of these powerful alien images and their relationship with humans, which reveal the authors' ideas about anthropocentrism in the age of technology, a leading force shaping society. By contextualizing their respective cultures, we hope to impress readers with Clarke and Liu's craftsmanship in science fiction writing.