Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible (or at least non-supernatural) content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities. Exploring the consequences of scientific innovations is one purpose of science fiction, making it a “literature of ideas”.
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common. Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of (pseudo-)scientific and macabre themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three, all of which are subgenres of speculative fiction.
Above is the definition of the two major fiction genres.
I have debated internally with years with myself and other people. How close is Science Fiction and Fantasy? And should the various grey areas (steampunk, disealpunk, magepunk, cyberpunk) be how we define any work that crosses the two genres?
The cornerstone of my debate is science fiction is magic and if magic is understood then its science fiction. Alchemy is one example. To some it’s magic to create gold from lead or to create a potion to allow one to fly. However if turning lead into gold was a scientific formula where it was innately understood. How the chemical transformation was done then its science fiction. Another example is mythology the things that the gods of the Roman pantheon did where magic. Zeus turning into a ram, or the universe being formed from the flesh and bones of Chronos. Is it magic or science fiction since as A. Clarke summed it up “Any advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”
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