Walk a mile in god's shoes

Hey readers, this week we’re continuing on with our discussion of Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein” but this week we’re going to do some more analyzing of the text.  One question that was asked of the book was, do humans have the right to play god?  More specifically this question pertains to the realm of life and death.  Now, one might say that mankind has always been endowed with the ability to create life (though it is a privilege some might argue that is overused).  But, from a philosophical point of view, that organic process by which a child is grown was given unto us by god.  Now, if we were to circumvent this process and thrust a being into life without the chance to have grown accustomed to life, are we treading in god’s domain?

          Furthermore, what is expected of the creator or father?  Do we expect god to impart upon each of us the wisdom required to navigate through society?  Or is that a job that falls to the created?  Can the monster truly blame Victor for bringing him into the world unprepared?  We see that the Monster does very much believe that it is his creator’s fault, that he should be cast into the world so unceremoniously and left to his own devices.  A fate which fosters his intense hatred and misery, and forces him to lash out against his creator.  Now, we as humans can raise our fists to the heavens and scream any manner of obscenities at god, but what makes Frankenstein so interesting is that he is able to physically surpass and in turn, harm his creator.

         So, the moral question is, if mankind obtains the power to surpass god, what responsibilities fall upon our shoulders?  And, is that something that we can do while still being morally clean?  I would believe that man should be wary of playing god for as is seen in Frankenstein; there can be a world of unintended consequence.

This is Jackson Zeiner, signing off.