The edge of evolution : animality, inhumanity, and Doctor Moreau

Resource Information

The work The edge of evolution : animality, inhumanity, and Doctor Moreau represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Bates College. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

The edge of evolution : animality, inhumanity, and Doctor Moreau

Title remainder

animality, inhumanity, and Doctor Moreau

Statement of responsibility

Ronald Edwards

Creator

• Edwards, Ronald, 1964-

Subject

• Biology in literature
• Ethics in literature
• Evolution (Biology) in literature
• Animals in literature
• Literature and science
• Wells, H. G., (Herbert George), 1866-1946
• Humanity in literature

Language

eng

Summary

• "In this interdisciplinary work, author Ron Edwards offers an innovative rereading of H. G. Wells' "The Island of Dr. Moreau." Edwards utilizes his twenty-five years in biology and the ethics of animal research to examine the bioethical implications of Wells' work and its relevance to contemporary scientific and philosophical discussions. He tackles the myth of human exceptionalism, the notion that we are fundamentally different from the rest of the animal kingdom. We must view ourselves, he argues, not as from animals, but as animals. The approachable tone is suitable for a wide audience of the scientifically curious. At the same time, great care is given to providing an accurate and considered treatment of the technical aspects of the novel, including the scientific plausibility of Dr. Moreau's experiment. Never before have Wells' ideas been examined in such detail by an evolutionary biologist with the author's considerable experience. The implications are far-reaching, touching on key topics in animal rights, evolution, and the relationship between religion and science. Its approachability and dedication to technical accuracy produces a unique perspective on Wells' classic. Anyone with an interest in confronting some of the central issues of human existence through the lens of fiction will be rewarded with an original and thought-provoking work. "--
• "The book presents a re-reading of H. G. Wells' novel "The Island of Doctor Moreau" as a key to addressing the controversies of our own humanity. It raises the issue: without human exceptionalism, where do ethics come from?"--

Assigning source

• Provided by publisher
• Provided by publisher

Cataloging source

DLC

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

• dictionaries
• bibliography