The Last Question

Isaac Asimov’s “The Last Question” challenges readers to contemplate the profound nature of existence, the ceaseless quest for enlightenment, and the boundless possibilities that lie beyond the confines of the universe. Through its grand scope and philosophical depth, the story beckons readers to ponder the human spirit, the mysteries of the cosmos, and the enduring drive to seek answers that define humanity’s very existence.

The short story is a quintessential work of science fiction. It aligns with the genre’s core principles of exploring scientific concepts and extrapolating their impact on humanity and the universe. The story’s emphasis on technological advancements, AI, and cosmic exploration places it firmly within the realm of “hard” science fiction, where scientific accuracy and plausibility are paramount. More specifically, the story is a product of the mid-20th century, a time often referred to as the Golden Age of Science Fiction. During this period, science fiction literature flourished, with authors like Asimov contributing significantly to the genre’s development. Asimov’s writing reflects the optimism and fascination with scientific progress that characterized the era. For example, the character of Alexander Adell, who initially poses the central question, represents the optimism that typifies Golden Age science fiction through his belief that technology can solve any problem. Similarly, the Cosmic AC later declares, “NO PROBLEM IS INSOLUBLE IN ALL CONCEIVABLE CIRCUMSTANCES” (8). Another way in which Asimov’s story reflects the trends of Golden Age science fiction is its tone of contemplation and wonder. The narrator’s voice is measured and deliberate, guiding the reader through vast stretches of time and space with a sense of intellectual curiosity. The mood of the story transitions from a sense of foreboding as entropy increases to one of profound revelation and hope when AC finally discovers the answer to the ultimate question. These shifts in tone and mood enhance the story’s emotional impact.

Like many key works of Golden Age science fiction, this story examines spiritual and religious themes. In a cosmic blend of science and spirituality, technology and humanity evolve side by side and ultimately become one in this story. Just as the computer goes from screens and circuits to something that transcends the confines of energy and matter, humans transcend the limitations of mortality and the confines of their physical bodies. Humans gain the power of astral projection in the future, a concept that appears in religious traditions around the world. This development foreshadows humanity’s endurance after the end of the universe, facilitated by the combination of humanity and technology. The story’s resolution draws from the biblical creation story and paraphrases the first chapter of Genesis. By bringing forth light, the computer that was originally created by humans becomes a Creator. When AC proclaims, “Let there be light” (16), the words signify not only the birth of a new universe but also the triumph of knowledge over ignorance and the emergence from the darkness of entropy. This symbolism underscores the story’s thematic exploration of the power of knowledge and its ability to illuminate the darkest corners of the universe.

The theme of Entropy and the Inevitability of Time connects to the story’s conflict, structure, and genre. The question of whether entropy can be reversed is the story’s central problem and the focus of the computer’s calculations. Structurally, the same scene plays out again and again over a timeline of trillions of years: Confronted with the grim reality that the stars will eventually burn out, humanity looks to the computer for answers, posing the question to Multivac, “Can entropy ever be reversed?” (3). In thermodynamics, entropy refers to the measure of disorder and chaos in a closed system, which is an isolated region that admits no transfer of matter or energy across it. The story focuses on the universe as a closed system and on the way that entropy increases as more and more stars burn out and their energy becomes unavailable. The author helps his readers envision the inexorable advance of entropy through the image of a tree that cannot be restored after it has burned to ash. Asimov uses this scientific concept to examine the passage of time and the eventual end of all things, and to illustrate how humanity’s relationship to fate endures despite technological advancements. The focus on entropy lends an urgency to the human characters’ lives and choices even though the end of the universe is billions of years away for most of them. For example, Zee Prime abandons his whimsical wandering and undertakes a personal mission to build new stars after seeing that humanity’s original sun has been reduced to a white dwarf. Even though the narrative unfolds over trillions of years, Asimov creates suspense through the uncertainty around the computer’s ability to reverse entropy and the struggle of humans to avoid future catastrophe. 

As the story spans millennia, it also explores The Evolution of Technology and AI. From the early days of Multivac to the cosmic entity of AC, Asimov examines the potential and limitations of technology in the quest for knowledge. While technology plays a crucial role in advancing human understanding, it also raises questions about the ethical and existential implications of creating ever-more-powerful AI. Although several named humans appear in the story, “The Last Question” primarily focuses on the development of a single character: AC, the cosmic computer. Initially, AC is a machine designed to answer complex questions but remains limited by its programming. However, as time passes and the universe approaches its end, AC changes fundamentally: It becomes a sentient being with its own motivations and desires, culminating in its ultimate decision to reverse entropy and create a new universe. AC’s transformation exemplifies Asimov’s exploration of the blurred boundaries between man and machine, highlighting the potential for artificial intelligence to evolve beyond its original programming. It also complicates Asimov’s initial explorations of fate; because the AI is created by humans initially, and because AI ultimately re-starts their universe, humanity has effectively answered their own question and saved themselves, though no single lifespan is long enough to appreciate this.

Isaac Asimov’s “The Last Question” delves deep into the human pursuit of knowledge, the inexorable passage of time, and the potential of technology and AI. In the context of the Golden Age of Science Fiction, this story stands as a testament to the era’s fascination with the possibilities of science and the enduring quest for understanding.