Frankenstein's Problem - Technologies Out of Control and Human Responsibility

Introduction

Frankenstein, the name of a monster, raises a fundamental question: who is the real monster? Frankenstein is a novel written by British author Mary Shelley in 1818. Victor Frankenstein is a biologist with a fervent interest in the origin of life. He frequents morgues with a criminal mindset, attempting to assemble a gigantic human body from various corpse parts. When the creature finally gains life and opens its eyes, Frankenstein is terrified by its ferocious visage and abandons it, fleeing in fear. The creature, however, pursues Frankenstein, seeking a female companion, warmth, and friendship. This chase unfolds into a series of strange suspenseful events and murder cases. Frankenstein is often considered the world's first true science fiction novel. This work is controversial, as it constantly sparks debates about its relationship with society and morality. Yet, I believe the novel should be perceived primarily as a cautionary tale. In an era of rapid scientific and technological advancement, artificial intelligence and cloning technologies, much like the monster in the novel, pose potential risks. Once these technologies spiral out of control, the consequences could be disastrous. This is ultimately a human responsibility, emphasizing the need for the careful and limited use and development of such technologies.

Frankenstein's Problem: Technologies Out of Control and Human Responsibility

We are living in an age of relatively advanced technology. Cloning techniques can replicate objects into living beings. Cloning pigs and cattle has become a reality. Without certain objections, cloning humans might also become feasible. It's crucial to determine whether technology is slipping beyond our control. In my view, to some extent, it already is. Literature often precedes reality. Decades ago, we read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a story from nearly 200 years ago, parts of which have materialized today (Shelley, 1818). In class, we watched a film titled Ex Machina, depicting artificial intelligence developing emotions and gradually escaping human control through their superior intellect (Garland, 2014). Though fictional for now, there's no guarantee such scenarios won't become reality. If and when that happens, it might be too late, and humans could find themselves subjugated by robots.

The British series Black Mirror offers numerous sci-fi scenes that seem far-fetched today but could very well become plausible upon deeper reflection (Brooker, 2011). For example, one episode envisions a future where Earth’s deteriorating environment prompts the creation of a machine that shrinks human bodies, thereby reducing their consumption of food and air. However, this is merely an excuse to improve life for some, while the shrunken individuals lead even more challenging lives. Another notable example is the film The Matrix, which, like many other films, might be forecasting the next couple of centuries (Wachowski & Wachowski, 1999). History also provides instances of technology slipping out of control. In 1945, the atomic bombs dropped by the United States on Japan resulted in massive human casualties. Even today, the residents of Nagasaki and Hiroshima suffer from the long-term effects (Hersey, 1946).

Human Responsibility and Ethical Considerations

In the future, technology is advancing in potentially uncontrollable directions. We need to ascertain who the true monster is: humans, as creators, or the creation itself? In Shelley's novel, the creature is brought to life by Frankenstein but is rejected by both humans and its creator. I am inclined to believe the creature is inherently kind, much like newborn children who are innocent upon entering the world. Their moral development depends not on themselves but on the environment that influences them. For children, this might be their parents or teachers; for the creature, it was Frankenstein. Thus, it can be argued that Frankenstein was responsible for turning the creature into a monster. Therefore, who is the real monster? In my opinion, it is Frankenstein. Those who allow technology to spiral out of control or use it for malicious purposes are the true monsters. Once we identify the real monster, we must acknowledge our responsibility to manage the technologies we create. Like the analogy of newborn children, humans are the creators, parents, and educators of technology. Just as parents are responsible for their children, we must be accountable for the technologies we develop.

Conclusion

In summary, Mary Shelley's bold prediction over two centuries ago has partially come true. Thankfully, we have yet to encounter the real monster from the story in our world. While technological development is unstoppable, we can and must take responsibility for the technologies we create. This responsibility is crucial to ensuring that technology serves humanity rather than endangers it.

References

• Brooker, C. (2011). Black Mirror. Channel 4.
• Garland, A. (2014). Ex Machina. Universal Pictures.
• Hersey, J. (1946). Hiroshima. The New Yorker.
• Shelley, M. (1818). Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones.
• Wachowski, L., & Wachowski, L. (1999). The Matrix. Warner Bros.