In this paper I intend to examine man"s heroic defiance against his genetically determined situation. At the same time I will show that according to Huxley and Niccol, it is probable that man"s advances in science and technology will be fraught with danger; namely the misuse of knowledge will result...
In this paper I intend to examine man"s heroic defiance against his genetically determined situation. At the same time I will show that according to Huxley and Niccol, it is probable that man"s advances in science and technology will be fraught with danger; namely the misuse of knowledge will result in evil, but not good. Projecting his novel into the future, Huxley offers a picture of the world as it might become if man becomes subservient to science rather than science subservient to man. The conversation between John the Savage and Mustapha Mond presents many of Huxley"s ideas and beliefs. Their discussion in chapter 16 and 17 acts as a core summary of the book. John, who is appalled by the sterility and absence of feeling in the Brave New World, defiantly says, “I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom,... I am claiming the right to be unhappy.” This statement clearly indicates that John is, as soft determinism shows, caused internally but not forced externally. John is unable to accept a life founded on “Community, Identity, Stability” and the pleasure principle. Niccol also offers this view of freedom. The genetic endowment a human receives at conception will determine his sex, eye color, hair color, and a whole host of other characteristics, both physical and mental. But Vincent, by sheer strength of will, breaks free of his genetic limitations and molds himself into an ideal human being. Both as a child and as an adult he is reminded of his physical limitations, but what makes this feat significant is that although he initially recognizes its impossibility, he defies the laws of nature and succeeds in achieving the impossible. It is in this deviation that the source for human indeterminism can be found. In short, the behaviors of John the Savage and Vincent are sometimes compelled by external forces whereas sometimes they are the result of human volitions and desires. Their actions are still determined wholly by their current conditions, but at least the subject “I” is the author of the actions.
In this paper I intend to examine man"s heroic defiance against his genetically determined situation. At the same time I will show that according to Huxley and Niccol, it is probable that man"s advances in science and technology will be fraught with danger; namely the misuse of knowledge will result in evil, but not good. Projecting his novel into the future, Huxley offers a picture of the world as it might become if man becomes subservient to science rather than science subservient to man. The conversation between John the Savage and Mustapha Mond presents many of Huxley"s ideas and beliefs. Their discussion in chapter 16 and 17 acts as a core summary of the book. John, who is appalled by the sterility and absence of feeling in the Brave New World, defiantly says, “I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom,... I am claiming the right to be unhappy.” This statement clearly indicates that John is, as soft determinism shows, caused internally but not forced externally. John is unable to accept a life founded on “Community, Identity, Stability” and the pleasure principle. Niccol also offers this view of freedom. The genetic endowment a human receives at conception will determine his sex, eye color, hair color, and a whole host of other characteristics, both physical and mental. But Vincent, by sheer strength of will, breaks free of his genetic limitations and molds himself into an ideal human being. Both as a child and as an adult he is reminded of his physical limitations, but what makes this feat significant is that although he initially recognizes its impossibility, he defies the laws of nature and succeeds in achieving the impossible. It is in this deviation that the source for human indeterminism can be found. In short, the behaviors of John the Savage and Vincent are sometimes compelled by external forces whereas sometimes they are the result of human volitions and desires. Their actions are still determined wholly by their current conditions, but at least the subject “I” is the author of the actions.
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