Ethical Ethics In Frankenstein

Enigmatic Ethinomics Is it ethical to kill 500 babies to save a mouse? The answer is an obvious no, but not all ethical quandaries fall into this easy black or white category. The real world displays many examples that follow suit. Because ethics is largely subjective, sometimes the simplest methodology to understand ethical principles is using economic reasoning. This mainly includes cost benefit analysis, which is simply looking at the pros and cons of each situation. This approach is advantageous due to the replicability of the logic and a relative lack of controversy surrounding it. Ethics usually finds its way into everything we do and also in pretty much every work of fiction. In the book Frankenstein, Mary Shelley exemplifies ethic

In an instance of conscientious confusion Victor considers creating another conception to content his creation. Victor realizes that perhaps he should aid in his monster’s happiness. He expresses his logic when he says, “...did I not as his maker, owe him all the portion of happiness that it was in my power to bestow? “(105). It initially stands to reason that he should help his creation because he is shown as the father. Plus, the monster promises to never harm anyone ever again. Although there is a counterargument: Somewhat contrary to what the monster promises, he previously states that, “you belong to my enemy—to him towards whom I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim. “ (102). This is when he decides to force a child to be his companion, as he thinks they are unprejudiced, but after learning this child is related to Victor, rage takes over. This quote illustrates that the monster is dominated by emotion in critical moments which shows that there is a possibility of him not upholding his promise especially if the new creature, that he thought could bring him happiness, does not like him. The monster had a lot of time to think his proposition to Victor through, and he does not really consider the ethics of his own situation because he is incredibly lonely and extremely desperate. But the monster threw all ethics aside when he made this proposition, as it is a contemptible