Philip Kindred Dick (1928 - 1982) was an American writer, who published works mainly belonging to the genre of science fiction. Dick explored philosophical, sociological and political themes in novels with plots dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered states of consciousness. His work reflected his personal interest in metaphysics and theology and often drew upon his life experiences in addressing the nature of reality, identity, drug abuse, paranoia, schizophrenia and transcendental experiences. --Wikipedia