Dangerous Knowledge Essay -- Essays Papers

Dangerous Knowledge The pursuit of forbidden knowledge is the impetus and downfall of man's 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 1:18.). Throughout the history of mankind, man has been faced with the temptation 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 name; lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth' " (Genesis 11:4). In the end, God punishes man for attempting to know what God should only understand. "So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city" (Genesis 11:8). The pursuit of knowledge is at the heart of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Robe rt Louis Stevenson's 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 thirst for knowledge is a hidden evil that man can 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 lecture 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 see after it has destroyed his life. Had Frankenstein and Jekyll followed the advice of Thomas then maybe their findings would have turned 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 example of their irresponsible pursuit of knowledge and to prove that some knowledge is off limits to man. Works Cited Goodall, Jane. "Frankenstein and the Reprobate's Conscience." Studies in the Novel 31.1 (1999): 19. Madigan, Timothy J. "Defending Dr. Frankenstein." Free Inquiry 14.4 (1994): 48. Ribalow, M.Z. "Script Doctors." The Sciences 38.6 (1998): 26.