Meaning of Campbellian | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Relating to or reminiscent of American mythologist Joseph Campbell or his ideas, particularly the Hero's Journey.
2. Of or relating to the ministers Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell, or the associated Campbellite movement.
3. 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.

Examples

“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.”

“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.”

CEFR level