E349S January 31: Kill (Torture) One, Save a Thousand

Kill (Torture) One, Save a Thousand

 

The Truth Hurts.

To kill? Or not to Kill? To experiment? Or not to experiment? There is no question to be asked. The answer is yes. Although Lewis Carroll provides a compelling argument on vivisection and the idea that such is "the worship of Self," I absolutely disagree (Carroll 342). Vivisection and animal experimentation is one of the sole reasons the medical field has expanded its resources and potential to unlimited reaches over the last fifty years alone. As said in Carroll's "Vivisection as a Sign of the Time," I fully agree with the principle that "Pain is indeed an evil, but so much suffering may be fitly endured to purchase so much knowledge" (Carroll 341). Of course, I agree that human experimentation is morally questionable, all pertaining to the purpose and function of the research at hand. The end justifies the means. If utilizing a human or animal life during cancer or AIDs research can potentially provide further knowledge and information regarding a possible solution or cure, then by all means do so. At the end of the day, the sacrifice of one life to save the many is justified. With humans, there must be documented recognition of possible set procedures and possible consequences to face. If someone understands the necessary precautions and possible extreme outcomes, including death, then why stop this effort to learn more about the world of disease, infection, and viruses? Yes, law suits are always a hassle, but the search for knowledge cannot be impeded. Only because of human curiosity and determination does the world hold some of its greatest feats of the century including controlled electric circuitry, automobiles, lifeline support, etc. Someone has to do the dirty work for new innovative processes to arise, and unless humanity is willing to understand the darker consequences for such, they will plateau in existence, reaching a brick wall of intelligence and ground-breaking advances in technology and medicine. With animal vivisection, I understand there is a morally wrong function in experimenting on living organisms for supposed selfish means. In reality, are those means selfish? Even using an animal to test and perfect cosmetic utilities has its reasoning. The purpose of cosmetics is to increase the physical attractive nature of a woman or man, and why not? Everyone wants to be noticed, and everyone wants the attention and physical attraction of others. Animal testing does have its flaws, especially in the case of certain industries, but as far as medicine goes, it is a necessary evil. Human curiosity is the key resources and strongest tool against the threats of the changing world. Evolution, disease immunity, and new and unknown forces are found everyday, but animal experimentation is one of the key components to fighting off all of the above. My picture explains it all. It's a matter of survival. Humans are intelligent, complicated creatures, but with that comes greats responsibility, and most importantly, a responsibility to the world to better society and help move society forward in whichever way possible.  

 

Don't hurt the cute, little rat. It's just a girl's life on the line.

 My point is further justified in Carroll's "Some Popular Fallacies About Vivisection" because "man is infinitely more important than the lower animals, so that the infliction of animal suffering, however great, is justifiable if it prevent human suffering, however small" (Carroll 334). Only through sacrifice and loss do we see truth and worth. I agree it is awful that animals must die and pain at the hand's of man, but the research and possible technological advancements far outweigh the consequences. The question comes into terms with the ambiguity of human suffering. In what regard does human suffering justify animal research? People have strong feelings against this research because of the outlandish industries which utilize animals for research, including cloning, cosmetics, and multi product companies like Johnson & Johnson who utilize animals for product solidification. The ambiguity of human suffering has led to the debate on animal cruelty because the end justifies the means. Humans are an interesting, adapting species, and because of such, those ends are not the same in humanity. Everyone has their own motives, and those may not always be in the most philanthropic mindset. I only leave you with a few thoughts. Imagine a world where your mother has leukemia (no cure has been found yet), and animal testing can provide a potential solution, saving your mother's life, do you watch your mother slowly die? Or do you sacrifice a few animals who had so strong impact on your life to save hers?

E349S January 19: Reality Recall

Reality Recall


"Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed 

What heart heard of, ghost guessed: 

It is the blight man was born for, 

It is Margaret you mourn for."

Gerard Manley Hopkins' "Spring and Fall" Lines 12-25

 

Reality is the epitome of Pandora's Box

It it interesting how Gerard Manley Hopkins parallels the change in seasons to the maturation process and its subsequent consequences including loss of innocence. The poem is directed to Margaret, but relays an important message in regards to our very lives. Life is short. We are brought into this world, and in the blink of an eye, we leave this fruitful life. People fall under various conditions, but the one thing common amongst all is transition to adulthood, to reality, to crashing realizations. I remember when I was a kid. I had no worries, I loved finger painting, and I focused on my life. I was living the dream, or perhaps, I was in a dream. One day I was watching Barney, and the next I was watching South Park. I didn't know what sex was at the age of twelve, but in today's world, even younger children know far worse. Over time, there is a loss of innocence. Life takes people to different places, but there will always be that opening of our eyes to the reality behind the naive childhood we once had. Gerard Manley Hopkins knew that. He parallels the changing of seasons to the transition we make from the idealistic, innocent childhood to the dark, pessimistic, reality of life as an adult. The picture above forges the same thematic element of the poem, contrasting a baby, symbol of purity, innocence, and naivety to the vulgar, provocative, explicit world that clouds the world. Both text and visual provide the reader with the reality shock children feel as life lays its shackles upon man, weighing him down with stress, conflict, and crisis. 

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different."

(Carroll 22)

Who Am I?

Lewis Carroll creates a dream-like world in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland filled with the fantasy, an alternate reality, an escape from the indecision and identity crisis Alice faces in her life. As she embarks upon her epic adventure in Wonderland, she faces a series of quirky trials and tribulations, all the while on a journey to self-realization. She hits a mental brick wall. She does not know what has changed, but something is different. Something has changed. She is confused about her identity as she shrinks in size, which parallels the confusion children feel while transitioning to adulthood.The quote perfectly describes this overall theme in the story. In essence, life goes by quick, and she wonders to herself if she is different, if she changed, if things changed. She does now know who she is, simply being unable to remember if she is Alice, and as a result, she goes into mad confusion. She can't make sense of what has happened, she can't give it any reason or rhyme. She is trying to bridge the gap to her adult life, but she is not ready to make such leap. She is a child at heart, a girl of purity, a person of innocence. The real world is harsh, cold, and unforgiving. She does not know where she fits, just as her shape and size do not fit. The quote goes perfectly with the picture, presenting the idea of identity crisis. Both question the idea of personality, characterization, morality, uniqueness. Alice finds herself between a rock and a hard place just as the man without a face can't seem to remember which was his. Neither character knows his or her identity. Neither character knows what to do. 

I find a very similar lesson to be learned from Hopkins and Carroll: the continuous themes of lively childhood, innocence, and maturation. Both the poem and story provide details that supplement the idea that everyone must grow up eventually. Life comes fast, and within a moment, everything can change. We must all grow up, whether we like it or not. That bridge between both realms is vital. Many people get lose sight of who they are, who they want to be, who they should be. The coming of age is coming to terms with reality and accepting oneself for he or she is. The world children live in is a lie, but they hold on to such dearly, keeping the pieces together before reality shatters it all.