So the tech setting of Star Wars does make it science fiction. Space wizards are typical fare for space opera. The Mule in the Foundation stories, Paul in Dune, Gary Mitchell in Star Trek.
Except that Star Wars doesn’t take place in the future, while those other stories do. That’s the main difference.
So if someone were to write a story about an advanced alien civilization set in the distant past — and for the sake of argument, let’s say there were absolutely no mystical elements present — it still wouldn’t qualify as sci-fi?
Sounds stupid to me.
That’s a good question. I’m leaning towards no, but I’d have to read said story before deciding. I wonder if anyone has written such a thing?