Oscar Wilde, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, 1891 was a “soft” science-fiction novel. “Soft” science- fiction is defined as less accurate technically. This is because instead of “hard” sciences (astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering) the topic is “soft” sciences (philosophy, psychology, anthropology and linguistics). “Human sciences”(philosophy, psychology, anthropology and literature) are often referred to as “The Humanities”. A character maybe either “soft” Humanist;or be a “hard” Scientist in lead-role of Sci-Fi. Oscar Wilde, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, 1891 is about philosophy, one of the soft sciences. The story begins with a portrait “Painter” who produces a full-length portrait of a “Model” named Dorian Gray. “Painter” introduces his model Dorian Gray to an aristocratic “Lord” who has a lifestyle that is unbounded by morality. “Model” Dorian Gray wishes to live this lifestyle eternally, and the wish is granted. The problem is that the sinfulness of lifestyle accumulates in the painted portrait. Even though Dorian Gray’s looks are unchanged in appearance, the portrait becomes grotesque. The grotesque lifestyle of philosophical “soft” science-fiction is important. This type of distinction between “soft” and “hard” science-fiction depends upon the particular science of the story.
