Philip Kindred Dick (December 16, 1928 – March 2, 1982) was an American novelist, short story writer, and essayist whose published
work during his lifetime was almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical
themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments, and altered states. In his later works,
Dick's thematic focus strongly reflected his personal interest in metaphysics and theology.