Campbellian

English[edit]

From Campbell +‎ -ian.

Campbellian (comparative more Campbellian, superlative most Campbellian)

Relating to or reminiscent of American mythologist Joseph Campbell or his ideas, particularly the Hero's Journey.
(Christianity) Of or relating to the ministers Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell, or the associated Campbellite movement.
(science fiction) In the fictive style promoted by American writer and editor John W. Campbell, wherein humanity triumphs over alien intelligences through innate superiority, often with superhuman abilities such as telekinesis, ESP, etc.
- 2003, Edward James, Farah Mendlesohn, The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction, page 99:
  In fact, among some readers the term "Campbellian science fiction" is virtually synonymous with "Golden Age", so manifestly more rigorous were the authors Campbell developed than the majority of pulp writers before them.
- 2005, Michael Ashley, Transformations: The History of the Science Fiction Magazine 1950 to 1970, Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, page 133:
  It traces the growth of homo gestalt with the uniting of six lovely outcasts of society who have psi powers and come together as a hive mind, thus creating a gestalt super-being. This concept was pure Campbellian, yet Campbell was critical of the story - possibly out of petulance for not having published it.