Reality as a Fluctuation, Reality as a Singularity: Between Stanisław Lem’s Reception of the Universe and “The Investigation” ©

<b>Świerczyński, Filip (2022). “Reality as a Fluctuation, Reality as a Singularity: Between Stanisław Lem’s Reception of the Universe and </b><b><i>The Investigation</i></b><b>”. In: Gomel, Elana (Ed.). </b><b><i>Stanisław Lem and His Aliens: A Tribute and a Challenge</i></b><b>. </b><b>St Andrews: </b><b>Guardbridge Books, pp. 107–136. DOI: </b>https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.29485376© Publication and access are restricted by copyrightThe aim of this paper is to consider Stanisław Lem’s postulate of the stochastic-fluctuating nature of reality with the help of the conceptual apparatus developed by modern physics. The essay is divided into two parts: the first of them is devoted to Lemian reception of the Universe, with particular attention being paid to the statistical impossibilities—<i>singularities</i>—which are presented on the basis of the Markov quasi-chain, and the second turns to the practical use of them by Lem as pretexts-starting points in the framework of plot construction. It also contains an attempt to “examine” the central point of <i>The Investigation</i> plot—which itself is a singularity—as rationally as possible, using the tools and concepts of modern science. The paper is intended to answer the question about Lem’s view of reality and the Universe, focusing primarily on <i>The Investigation</i> (1959), <i>His Master’s Voice</i> (1968), and <i>Thus Spoke Lem</i> (1987/2002)—an extended interview conducted by Stanisław Bereś.