Following the Footsteps of Fiction: Studying the Role of Imagination and the Influence of Speculative Fictions in Technological Innovation and Scientific Development

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This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 16 | 01 | Page :
    By

    Deep Baidya,

  • Amit Mukherjee,

  • Rahul Naskar,

  • Arjama Ghosh,

  • Subarnarekha Pal,

  1. Undergraduate student, Department of Computer Application, Greater Kolkata College of Engineering and Management, JIS Group, Baruipur, West Bengal, India
  2. Undergraduate student, Department of Computer Application, Greater Kolkata College of Engineering and Management, JIS Group, Baruipur, West Bengal, India
  3. Undergraduate student, Department of Computer Application, Greater Kolkata College of Engineering and Management, JIS Group, Baruipur, West Bengal, India
  4. Lecturer, Department of Basic Science and Humanities, Greater Kolkata College of Engineering and Management, JIS Group, Baruipur, West Bengal, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Science and Humanities, Greater Kolkata College of Engineering and Management, JIS Group, Baruipur, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Since the dawn of civilization, human evolution has been fueled by imagination and innovation. From the moment of harnessing fire to crossing the orbital boundary, every step beyond the horizon was led by a visionary thought. Mankind journey from being hunters and gatherers to being the interstellar explorer was consistently driven by their ability to envision a reality beyond the present one. This paper examines how imagination has always preceded man’s innovative actions and repeatedly opened new doors to a technologically advanced world. This paper provides a short discussion on how the European philosophers previously tried to theorise the concept of perception and imagination. The article primarily focuses on a few selected examples taken from English Science-fiction to examine how certain technological and scientific milestones succeeded the speculative ideas from literature. The article traces ethical implications embedded in the narratives of the speculative literature and establishes the ground for modern innovation ethics that must supervise both technologically and 2 ethically advanced innovations. Expanding on the moral dilemmas of technological advancement, the article further explores the concept of sustainability as depicted in certain fictional narratives. The paper also discusses the genre of ‘Solarpunk’ fictions, which envision an optimistic future driven by sustainable actions, technology and values and how these narratives deviate from the dystopian possibilities of the future while exploring cutting-edge technology as well as an environment-friendly consciousness. In the conclusion of this study, it is explained how human imagination and scientific endeavours are psychologically and cognitively connected with each other.

Keywords: Speculative Fiction, Science-fiction, Imagination, Innovation, Innovation Ethics

How to cite this article:
Deep Baidya, Amit Mukherjee, Rahul Naskar, Arjama Ghosh, Subarnarekha Pal. Following the Footsteps of Fiction: Studying the Role of Imagination and the Influence of Speculative Fictions in Technological Innovation and Scientific Development. OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2026; 16(01):-.
How to cite this URL:
Deep Baidya, Amit Mukherjee, Rahul Naskar, Arjama Ghosh, Subarnarekha Pal. Following the Footsteps of Fiction: Studying the Role of Imagination and the Influence of Speculative Fictions in Technological Innovation and Scientific Development. OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2026; 16(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/osmj/article=2026/view=236428


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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 16
01
Received 05/12/2025
Accepted 30/01/2026
Published 31/01/2026
Publication Time 57 Days


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