Knowledge and Discovery; Could vs. Should

If you needed a blood transfusion, would you take it? Most of us would say yes without thinking twice. What about a kidney or a liver transplant? Sure! An eye, a heart, an arm? Well… What about your brain? The medical field has advanced so far these are no longer far out of the question. It raises dilemmas of ethics of the age old saying; “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should”. It is a good and encouraged thing to seek knowledge, wisdom and new discovery, but there should be boundaries of ethics and responsibility of consequences.

The classic example of horrible medical ethics is that of Victor Frankenstein from Frankenstein. From the get go, Victor is “deeply smitten by the thirst for knowledge” (Shelley 20). With no regard for potential consequences, he slaves away in focused “ruse” until he is able to do the unthinkable; reanimate a dead body. What starts as an obsession to be a creator turns to disgust as he upon reanimating his monster realizes how hideous his creation is (Shelley 34). What follows is a showcase of Victor avoiding all responsibility of “raising” or ending the monster. It isn’t until Victor agrees to build his monster a mate that he thinks of the possible repercussions that may follow; “As I sat, a train of reflection occurred to me which led me to consider the effects of what I was now doing.” (Shelley 105). He promptly destroys this creature, knowing how this next discovery may echo that of his first. It is clear through this that author Mary Shelley encourages (entering??) knowledge and discovery with responsibility. As said by professor Waldman, “The labours of men of genius, however erroneously directed, scarcely ever fail in ultimately turning to the solid advantage of mankind.” (Shelley 28). It is not the knowledge that is evil, per se, but the way it is used. In the same light, it is not new discoveries that are harmful, but the neglectfulness or irresponsibility of, in this case, the creator of said discovery. 

Seeking knowledge and wisdom is often encouraged in both stories and scripture. The Bible says that “the heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, the ears of the wise seek it out” (New International Version, Proverbs 18:15). Note how The Bible talks of discernment in seeking knowledge. Yet again it also brings up that “everything is permissible for me- but not everything is beneficial (...)” (1. Corinthians 6:12). I believe that knowledge and discoveries can be beneficial or harmful depending on how they are procured and used. Discernment of this is what I believe The Bible talks about as wisdom. “(...) fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7). Wisdom and knowledge go hand in hand in a Godly way of procuring and discovering.

The Bible says “the way of the fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). Victor is portrayed as a knowledge obsessed man with little regard to due ethics and consequences in his work. He works for his own benefit and consults no one (or himself) on whether this is the right choice. This stands in contrast to the way God tells us to discern and be wise with our knowledge. Though Frankenstein may not be written to showcase godly and ungodly action, both Mary Shelley and Christian teachings encourage discernment, regard for consequences/following responsibilities and making moral choices. 

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Works Cited

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein, or, the Modern Prometheus. Wisehouse, 2014.

The Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 2006.