If you ever get your hand on only one or two volumes of Philip K. Dick's collected short stories you will realize not only that they are much better than his novels, but that he has invented any Sci Fi scenario you have ever seen in any movie or show, and much more. And has has been unchallenged in this until Ted Chiang started writing. His stories are different though, exploring fascinating, masterful ideas that challenge our notions of what life is and then drilling in deeper to shed light on the thoughts from as many angles as he can. His stories draw upon a full view of science including sociology, linguistics, engineering, even religious studies to an appreciably heretic degree (or should I see secular sarcastic, since heresy would require the actual existence of God/unicorns/the tooth fairy).
There's no other recommendation but read this!