Ethical Implications

Definition

Ethical implications refer to the moral consequences and considerations that arise from actions, decisions, or creations. In the context of literature, these implications often explore the responsibilities and moral dilemmas faced by characters, particularly when their choices lead to significant outcomes, raising questions about right and wrong.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In 'Frankenstein', Victor Frankenstein's quest for knowledge leads him to create life, which raises ethical questions about his responsibility towards his creation and its consequences.
2. The creature faces rejection and suffering due to societal norms, highlighting the ethical implications of how society treats those who are different or misunderstood.
3. Mary Shelley's work prompts readers to consider the moral limits of scientific exploration and innovation, especially in the realm of creating life.
4. The narrative structure presents multiple perspectives on ethical implications, as both Victor and the creature grapple with their actions and their impacts on each other and others around them.
5. Ultimately, 'Frankenstein' serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of unchecked ambition and the ethical responsibilities that come with knowledge and power.

Review Questions

• How do Victor Frankenstein's actions illustrate the ethical implications of scientific discovery in the story?
  • Victor Frankenstein's pursuit of scientific knowledge leads him to create life, but he neglects to consider the moral responsibilities that come with his actions. His failure to care for and take responsibility for his creation results in dire consequences for both himself and the creature. This illustrates the ethical implications inherent in scientific discovery, where ambition must be balanced with responsibility to prevent harm.
• Discuss how societal rejection impacts the creature's development and reflects ethical implications within human relationships.
  • The creature's experience of rejection by society reveals deep ethical implications regarding compassion and acceptance. As he is shunned based on his appearance, it raises questions about moral responsibility in human relationships. The failure of individuals to recognize his humanity contributes to his suffering, ultimately leading to a cycle of violence and despair that challenges readers to reflect on their own ethical behaviors toward those who are different.
• Evaluate how Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' uses ethical implications to critique 19th-century views on science and humanity.
  • Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' serves as a critique of 19th-century views on science by highlighting the ethical implications surrounding unchecked ambition and technological advancement. The novel suggests that the quest for knowledge without considering moral responsibilities can lead to catastrophic outcomes. By illustrating Victor's hubris and the subsequent suffering of both creator and creature, Shelley invites readers to contemplate the balance between scientific inquiry and ethical consideration, urging a reflection on how humanity defines itself in relation to its creations.

Related terms

Responsibility: The obligation of characters or creators to consider the impact of their actions on others and to act in a morally acceptable way.

Consequentialism: An ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on its outcomes or consequences.

Moral Dilemma: A situation in which a character must choose between two or more conflicting moral principles, often resulting in difficult choices.