Frankenstein and Philosophy: The Shocking Truth

Description

Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus sparked into life a fascination with science-gone-awry that refuses to die. Can organic life be reanimated using electricity or genetic manipulation? If so, could Frankenstein's monster really teach itself to read and speak as Mary Shelley imagined? Do monsters have rights, or responsibilities to those who would as soon kill them? What is it about music that so affects Frankenstein's monster, or any of us? What does Mel Brook's Frau Blucher say to contemporary ecofeminism? Why are some Frankenstein's flops and others historic successes? Is there a true Frankenstein? Why are children, but not adults, drawn to Shelley's monster? And what is a "monster," anyways?

Nicolas Michaud is an assistant professor of Philosophy at Florida State College Jacksonville. He is the editor of Hunger Games and Philosophy (2012).