Frankenstein: The Original 1818 Text
- 4.0
- 5.0
- 4.0
- 5.0
- Courage
- Empathy
- Complaining
- Family Ties
Values
Struggles
Why Should My Child Read This Book?
Although this book was written more than 200 years ago, it is a singularly relevant read for young people today. As Muslims living in a time of unparalleled, unbridled scientific advancements, we find ourselves grappling with the benefits versus the harms of technological progress.
Artificial intelligence, in particular, with its myriad ramifications is quickly becoming the crown jewel of our gilded modern life. But where is it leading us?
Frankenstein prods us to reflect on what scientific progress truly means for both the people promoting it, as well as for humanity in general. This tale leads us by turns to examine, embrace, question, and criticize the archetypal scientific experimenter/explorer as well as his experiment. Ambition and scientific advancement certainly have their honored place in Islam, but what are the limits to such endeavors? How much responsibility does a scientist have for the discoveries he brings into the world? Do we have a moral mandate to stop such progress if it is deemed excessive or harmful?
As we find ourselves doing today, Frankenstein mindlessly and soullessly chases “progress” only to regret his achievement: “Now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (p. 35). He, much like the Big Tech corporations of our day, does not pause to consider the ethical questions raised by introducing his experiment into the world until it is too late.
Frankenstein not only loses his conviction in the progress he so desperately sought, but he also loses, as a result of his scientific experiment, the people he most loved. In the end, he is left with a most terrible realization that serves as a chilling warning for us: “I was the slave, not the master of an impulse, which I detested, yet could not disobey” (p. 181).
How Can I Use This Book?
- Shelley opens her book with the following epigraph: “Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay | To mould me man? Did I solicit thee | From darkness to promote me?” (Paradise Lost). How would Muslims make sense of this philosophical question? How does the primordial pledge in which every human soul witnessed that Allah is their Lord contradict this challenge? Reflect on Quran 7:172 and 33:72.
- Discuss the importance of friendship and how transformative this gift from Allah ﷻ can be.
- Does artificial intelligence promote isolation or social connection? Would Frankenstein have proceeded in his experiment if his family and friends were with him?
- Learn more about artificial intelligence and the scientists developing and promoting this technology.
- Compare the mission and internally-set limitations of Open AI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude. Does one seem to align better with Islamic values
- Does giving life to a human corpse mean that one is a “creator”? How does Allah ﷻ describe in the Quran when the Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him, brought a dead person to life? (Quran 3:49).
- What did Frankenstein mean when he said: “How much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow?” (p. 31) Is this a wise way to look at the world?
What’s This Book About?
Anything I need to be aware of?
VIEW FLAGSNewest recommendations ...
