Joe Gonzales Professor Heim Writing 39B MWF 4-4:50 pm Universal Cranium Complex Science fiction is often associated with futuristic utopias in which humanity engages within a conflict where their survival is at stake. Yet, the reality is that the genre covers much deeper topics regarding “mankind and his status in the universe… [especially within a] confused state of knowledge” (Anders). The human mind and the way it functions is a very complex function that is still undergoing research to this day. One of the more recent topics of interest regarding the human mind is the concept of human enhancement: the use of substance to enhance the brain process time, efficiency, and capabilities. Yet, the use of human test subjects, usually acquired …show more content…
The main character Leon of Ted Chiang’s short story, Understand, highlights this desire as a human flaw. After being prescribed an experimental drug called Hormone K to help heal recently endured brain damage, the side effects end up transforming Leon into a superhuman. While avoiding the authorities hunting him down, Leon’s primary goal is to constantly improve his cognitive abilities and constantly generate new understandings of his environment; allowing the desire for knowledge to become an obsession. This flaw is not only present within Leon, but also the readers themselves within modern society, illustrating the prominence of this human flaw in today’s age. The chaotic atmosphere and action driven plot line Chiang creates throughout Understand advocates the human flaw of lust for infinite knowledge is mankind’s ultimate downfall from reaching full contentedness, …show more content…
Many professionals from the scientific community would argue that human enhancement is necessary since it can transform any average person into “an ideal one or even a perfect one, as one wishes to enhance towards her ideal self” (Roduit). Yet, the aspect that is often ignored is how branches such as the military or CIA intend on using such technology. Leon is merely one example of how super humans are aimed to be used within foreign affairs or warfare. Unfortunately, the reality is that the Department of Defense have stated “cutting-edge technologies [will] make U.S. troops faster, smarter and more resilient than their normal selves” (Harper). The quest for infinite knowledge to make humans more superior is only going to lead to more violence, slowly progressing to the end of our existence. The more human kind obsesses over expanding our knowledge, the more “tremendous operational advantages” will be developed (Harper). This illustrates how relevant Chiang’s message in the modern-day world, advocating readers to self-reflect and acknowledge the danger human enhancement truly poses. By playing with the scheme of the human mind, people are playing with forces that cannot be comprehended and people must learn to be content with
Knowledge can be the key to success and can lead people to happier life. However, there are some instances that you can not gain any more knowledge because of how it would change your whole life. The drive of wanting more and more knowledge is best portrayed through two well -known books. In Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein, and in Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon, both the creature and Charlie are ostracized by society because they are different from everyone else but this distinction gave way for distinct fallouts because of their quest for knowledge beyond their reach to achieve happiness.
We as humans tend to have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. We look for knowledge about everybody and everything that surrounds us in our day-to-day life. Sadly though, we must accept that in the grand scheme of life we (as a society) tend to put pleasure above our quest for knowledge. The pursuit of knowledge tends to take time and energy, two things we call invaluable, and it also shows us things that might depress us. Contrastingly, ignorance takes no time and energy.
Anonymous. "Human Experimentation: An Introduction to the Ethical Issues." The Physicians Committee. N.p., 22 June 2015. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
Not only have we had useless irrelevant information instilled onto us by the government, but it has dehumanized us as well. We plan to help instil knowledge back into the general population, to make us ////”
...d, working definition of what a person is, enhancing will be newest fad. Humankind is on an irreversible evolutionary journey where super-intelligence will be the normal IQ for children, war and death are no longer terms in the english dictionary, and being 1,000 years old is considered young. It is a bright and prosperous future looking through the lens of a transhumanist. One that I cannot wait to see through bionic eyes.
In the essay “The Allegory of the Cave,” Plato addresses how humans generally do not pursue knowledge. Most humans are satisfied with what they already know and do not want to expand their knowledge. Plato uses simple examples to help the reader understand his logic on why humans do not expand their knowledge.
Marquis de Condorcet’s Future Progress of the Human Mind depicts knowledge as being something that human beings want to achieve. To attain more knowledge on a specific thing, the information must be available through more universal education along with subjects being easier to classify. When the knowledge is available and simpler for humans, they will want to learn. Through people wanting to learn more things, new information will want to be discovered and in conclusion, be a happier place. Knowledge, in Condorcet’s eyes, is the key to happiness because it allows people to focus on life rather than surviving.
Point of view: Web. 14 February 2016. The article provides specific examples of illnesses and diseases which have been cured by animal testing that both humans and animals have benefitted from. This supports my topic of animal experiments being used for medical advancements. Pointing out that law often requires that products be tested before being sold to the public, George and Wagner additionally help prove my claim that product testing is a purpose of animal experimentation.
Our knowledge is a key to our success and happiness in our life to give us personal satisfaction. Knowledge is power but not always. Sometimes our self-awareness and growth as an individual gives us negative thoughts that make us want to go back to undo it. Everyone wants to unlearn a part in our life that brought us pain and problems. Good or bad experiences brought by true wisdom can be used for our self-acceptance, self-fulfillment and these experiences would make us stronger as we walk to the road of our so called “life”, but Douglas’s and my experience about knowledge confirmed his belief that “Knowledge is a curse”. Both of us felt frustrated and sad from learning knowledge.
...t find anything new. This description points out the hindrances on humans’ acquisition of knowledge because of our finite biological capacities.
The pursuit of knowledge can lead to a humans destruction and awareness. The pursuit of
The documentary, “Amazing Secrets About the Human Brain” presented by the History Channel, explains how the brain works to people with little to no academic knowledge on the subject. The brain is “the most complicated device” humans have found, so it is certainly a topic of interest to many. In the past few years, knowledge of the brain has grown significantly. The documentary’s goal is to describe the complexity of the brain and how it influences various human behaviors, such as fear, sexual arousal, sports performance, and psychic mediums. With a minor shortcoming, the documentary does a sufficient job of introducing the complexity and workings of the brain to people with little knowledge of the topic.
Proponents of animal testing often claim that in some ways since humans are similar to animals, the
The quest for knowledge and learning has been occuring since the creation of mankind. Ever since the serpent in the Garden of Eden tempted Eve to eat the forbidden apple from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, promising she would wise as the gods, man has been battling with this endless pursuit. Some men want wisdom so that they may be able to live a good and righteous life. Other men want only the power that knowledge can bring them, to use it for their own sinful purposes.
This quote makes one wonder whether or not animals are being treated correctly when used as test subjects. If countries abide by the laws and regulations of using animals in research, it is acceptable to use animals in research.