Technology and Morality in Shelleys Frankenstein - The Advancement of

Frankenstein and the Advancement of Science      Ã‚  Ã‚   Science is nothing more than facts and principles that have been accepted on the basis of the knowledge gained by a systematic study. The scientific process is the common, basic pathway to this discovery of knowledge. The good or evil implications resulting from knowledge is not the primary concern of the scientist, though these implications can have a powerful impact. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein shows how the discovery of knowledge can have earth-shattering repercussions when a scientist does not consider the consequences of his actions.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Victor Frankenstein often esteemed himself a scientist of nature in contrast to those of his time who were alchemists. As such, he followed the very same path which elementary school kids follow today; observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion. The first step he took in creating his monster was observation. Victor Frankenstein observed the power of nature through the destructive force of lightning. He knew the potential of such energies and developed a hypothesis based on his studies of Agrippa and Magnus. His hypothesis stated that, through the power of nature, he could reanimate organic tissue; a process which his mentors claimed to have already achieved. Victor Frankenstein's experimentation required a form, which took him to the charnel houses to claim tissue from the deceased. The creature was complete with the animating science developed by Victor Frankenstein. His hypothesis proved true in the respect that it could give life. Through out the process he underwent to create the creature at no time in the process was there a point to reflect as to whether or not he should create such a monster. There was ... ...iterary Supplement 9 Apr. 1993: 12-14.    Boyd, Stephen. York Notes on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Longman York Press, 1992.    Garber, Frederick. The Autonomy of the Self from Richardson to Huysmans. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1982.    Nelkin, Dorothy.   "Genetics, God, and Sacred DNA."   Society May/June 1996: 22-25.    Patterson, Arthur Paul. A Frankenstein Study. http://www.watershed.winnipeg.mb.ca/Frankenstein.html    Shelley, Mary.   Frankenstein.   Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980.    Smith, Christopher. Frankenstein as Prometheus. http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/class/sf/books/frank/papers/FrankCS.html    Spark, Muriel. Mary Shelly. New York: Dutton, 1987.    Williams, Bill. On Shelley's Use of Nature Imagery. http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/class/sf/books/frank/papers/FrankWJW.html