On Science Fiction (Isaac Asimov) — Important Questions

To argue that mythological stories can still thrill readers

He asks whether the climactic duel of Achilles and Hector should stop exciting readers simply because people no longer fight with spears and shields.

They are set in different kinds of universes but follow analogous paths.

Asimov compares the two kinds of adventure stories and says they work in similar ways even though their settings differ.

As the equivalent of science fiction set in a prescientific universe

He does not call it science fiction itself; instead, he treats it as an equivalent set in another kind of universe.

They should be self-consistent and well-written and exciting.

He does not demand scientific explanation for such stories; he asks for internal consistency and quality storytelling.