10 Books That Anyone Who Cares About Science Needs to Read
3. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
In other studies you go as far as other have gone before you, and there is nothing more to know; but in a scientific pursuit there is continual food for discovery and wonder. - Mary Shelley, Frankenstein Seemingly a slightly eccentric entry to a list of science books, Frankenstein discusses some complex questions of science and human nature way before its time. The year was 1818; the height of the industrial revolution and Frankenstein was published anonymously by author Mary Shelley. Whats astounding is that Shelley used the book to discuss completely unheard of topics and ideals that is still thought provoking today, but wouldve been positively scandalous in a very religious 1800s Britain. Interestingly enough, Dr Frankenstein discusses his thoughts regarding how nature makes species adapt and how that adaptation can actually change a species itself. This was a solid 40 years before Darwins On the Origin of Species and even before that fateful HMS Beagle voyage that provided Darwins evolutionary inspiration. Yet, even on a philosophical standpoint, Shelley began to realise the power of technology and how that had completely changed the world around her. Frankensteins monster is the ultimate technology that comes back to haunt his creator, mentally, physically and ethically. Strangely enough, the question of what is or isnt ethical has some substantially blurred lines and this book delves into questions that are still entirely relevant today. To read Frankenstein is to read a chunk of the history of scientific philosophy itself.
