The Elimination Of Ambition In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Ambition is a key aspect of human existence, for it allows us to accomplish goals and improve the world around us. However, in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Shelley points out the negative side-effects that ambition can have if handled improperly. Victor Frankenstein spends two years attempting to create life before “the beauty of [his] dream [vanishes], and breathless horror and disgust [fills his] heart” as he realizes that his ambition has created a monster (35). Although Frankenstein is clearly ashamed of the creature that he created, he resolves to remain silent, and in my opinion, this is where his mistake lies. At this point in the development of the global community, the elimination of ambition altogether is impossible, for ambition
drives and defines our society. However, it is not too late to have conversations about the morals and ethics that come into play when it comes to the advances that are occuring in our society, specifically in science. In Juan Enriquez’s TED Talk, “We Can Reprogram Life: How to do it Wisely,” Enriquez claims that the advances in genetics which he refers to as “lifecoding” are fundamentally good, but that we must use principles to guide us on how to handle them which include taking responsibility for the changes we are making and accepting and embracing the diversity we create. While Frankenstein failed to follow these guidelines, it is crucial that we follow them today. As Timothy J. Madigan stated in “Tampering with God’s Domain,” “We cannot wish away the ‘Frankenstein Impulse’—we must instead try to channel it in a democratic and ethical direction.” Ambition is key to the continuing improvement and development of our world, but we must follow guidelines and have conversations in order to allow ambition to remain ethically sound.
drives and defines our society. However, it is not too late to have conversations about the morals and ethics that come into play when it comes to the advances that are occuring in our society, specifically in science. In Juan Enriquez’s TED Talk, “We Can Reprogram Life: How to do it Wisely,” Enriquez claims that the advances in genetics which he refers to as “lifecoding” are fundamentally good, but that we must use principles to guide us on how to handle them which include taking responsibility for the changes we are making and accepting and embracing the diversity we create. While Frankenstein failed to follow these guidelines, it is crucial that we follow them today. As Timothy J. Madigan stated in “Tampering with God’s Domain,” “We cannot wish away the ‘Frankenstein Impulse’—we must instead try to channel it in a democratic and ethical direction.” Ambition is key to the continuing improvement and development of our world, but we must follow guidelines and have conversations in order to allow ambition to remain ethically sound.