The phrase "Emigrate or Degenerate" from Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" reflects a deep existential dilemma faced by the characters in a post-apocalyptic world. In this context, emigration signifies a choice to escape or transcend one's circumstances, while degeneration represents the decline into a degraded state of existence. The narrative tackles themes of identity and the essence of being, as humans grapple with the presence of androids that challenge their understanding of life and empathy.
The book explores the implications of artificial intelligence and the moral questions surrounding what it means to be human. As society struggles with the remnants of a ravaged Earth and the complexities brought on by technology, characters find themselves at a crossroads. Ultimately, the choice between emigration and degeneration serves as a metaphor for the pursuit of a meaningful existence in an increasingly blurred reality.