Dangerous Knowledge Essay -- Essays Papers

Dangerous KnowledgeThe sideline of forbidden knowledge is the impetus and downfall of mans quest to understand the unknown. In the Bible, God warns man that knowledge brings more regret than it does value He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow (Ecclesiastes 118.). Throughout the history of mankind, man has been faced with the enticement to reach the level of God. The Tower of Babel is the first attempt by man to become as powerful as God when man tries to build a tower that reaches the heavens. Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a arouse lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth (Genesis 114). In the end, God punishes man for attempting to know what God should only understand. So the churchman scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth and they stopped building the city (Genesis 118). The pursuit of knowledge is at the union of Mary Shelleys Franke nstein and Robert Louis Stevensons The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The main characters, Victor Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll, attempt to reach beyond accepted human limits and access the secrets of life. As a result, the ruthless pursuit of knowledge proves dangerous as both men eventually destroy themselves and everyone dear to them. The starve for knowledge is a hidden evil that man cornerstone only see after it has destroyed his life.Frankenstein is a young scientist who is blinded by the fame and dangers of the knowledge of creation. So much has been done, exclaims Frankenstein after he hears a flog on famous scientists. More, far more, will I achieve treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unk... ...one, but scientist Lewis Thomas says, We cannot wish away the Frankenstein Impulse-we must instead try to channel it in a democratic and ethical direction (Article Finder). The thirst for knowledge is a hidden evil that man can only se e after it has destroyed his life. Had Frankenstein and Jekyll followed the advice of Thomas then maybe their findings would have move out to be good rather than evil. Perhaps God grants the pursuit of knowledge to those he knows will abuse it in order to make an guinea pig of their irresponsible pursuit of knowledge and to prove that some knowledge is off limits to man. Works Cited Goodall, Jane. Frankenstein and the Reprobates Conscience. Studies in the Novel 31.1 (1999) 19.Madigan, Timothy J. Defending Dr. Frankenstein. Free Inquiry 14.4 (1994) 48.Ribalow, M.Z. record book Doctors. The Sciences 38.6 (1998) 26.