What Asimov writes is not science fiction in its traditional “space opera” definition, but concept fiction. The Foundation Trilogy, and the Robot stories for that matter, don’t seem to be written as stories for enjoyment or from a need to tell a certain story that is close to the soul as some authors do, but as the exploration of logical, rational theories and concepts, much like concept albums are. To my mind Asimov’s fiction is more speculative science than good fiction.

Magic without rules is merely wish fulfillment. Magic with rules is mythology. Mythology in no way denies the wish fulfillment aspect of magic, but accentuates the cost of failure to follow its rules. Orpheus' wish is granted: he may bring Eurydice back from the dead, but he may not turn around to look at her or she will return to the land of the dead. Cinderella may go to the ball as a princess, but only until midnight. Icarus may fly, but not too close to the sun. At one extreme, magic is merely metaphor, the clever embodiment of the fears or aspirations of the characters. Buffy the Vampire Slayer seasons one through three are excellent examples of magic at its metaphorical best. At the other magic is merely a novelty.