what is the difference between fantasy and science fiction?

Answer 1

KennyB's answer is good, but to put it in an operational context, in a fantasy story things just happen with no explanation as to how they might. For example, Harry Potter just flies on a broom, violating all sorts of physical laws simply by using "magic." If Harry Potter were a supergenius scientist instead of a wizard, his flying broom would be a sky-scooter powered by a pulsed neutrino flux drive. How does a pulsed neutrino flux drive work? I have no idea and it probably violates just as many physical laws as the flying broom, but the difference is the science fiction at leasts posits an explanation for how the kid can fly.

Answer 2

Fantasy is based on things that do not exist, hence the usual usage of the word. These things are magic, elves, other creatures, enchanted objects, etc. It is usually set on earth or an earth-like planet. The things and creatures in a fantasy-based story are more natural than in science fiction. They are born with powers or get them from others or the earth. Magic information is passed on to generations by birth, objects handed down or by teaching, while in SF, magical abilities would more likely be handed down by genetic engineering rather than natural birth.

Science fiction is based more on what future science might be like. It often is set in space or on other planets or on a future earth that is mechanically and electrically superior to anything we have now. There may be other creatures from other planets, or half human-half mechanical beings. Robots, space ships, exploration, or a theme of the earth coming out of a catastrophic disaster that scientists are recovering from, or an impending doom of earth that scientists are trying to prevent.

Answer 3

One is rooted (albeit sometimes rather loosely) in the realm of 'maybe it could happen' while the other starts off without any 'hooks' into any kind of reality and goes from there. Most Fantasy is centered about adventure tales which may or may not have a few moral overtones. But good Sci-Fi takes a current (or presumed) social trend and extrapolates it. Good Fantasy is good entertainment, good Sci-Fi makes you think.

Doug