This document discusses the relationship between science fiction and science. It defines science fiction as stories that reflect how scientific knowledge and methods could impact the future by imagining technological and scientific developments. The document provides several examples of works by early science fiction authors like Mary Shelley, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells that speculated about developments like artificial life, space travel, and weapons technology decades before they became reality. It also discusses major Western science fiction authors like Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, and Isaac Asimov and how they influenced the genre.