Ethical Dilemmas In Flowers Of Algernon By Daniel Keyes

Flowers of Algernon, a short story by Daniel Keyes, has many ethical dilemmas with the experimental procedure that would transform 37-year-old Charlie Gordon from a simple man of low intelligence to one of very high intelligence. One of the key concerns that engaged the reader audience was the topic of why two persons from the same community, such as colleagues Dr. Strauss and Dr. Nemur, might believe differently about utilising science to experiment on human intelligence. This topic will be addressed individually, beginning with Dr. Strauss and ending with a comparison based on their distinct differences throughout the storyline. Dr. Strauss is described early in the novel from Charlie's point of view as an intelligent Neurosurgeon with his own priorities who aspires to establish his own path while also revolutionising Neurosurgical practises around the world through the experiment. He is confident and always thinks things thoroughly before acting. For example, when Dr. Nemur wished to publish the results of the experiment, Dr. Strauss "wanted to wait a little longer just to be sure." This demonstrates a sense of

Nemur is portrayed throughout the novel as a grumpy psychologist, whom Charlie feared due to his cold-hearted nature and ignorance of others. Though Dr. Nemur is a self-doubting, insecure man with an easily bruised ego beneath the surface, as seen in the scene where Dr. Strauss tells Charlie that Dr. Nemur is developing an "inferiority complex" towards him. Even exceptionally clever guys like Dr. Nemur want to be regarded as geniuses by society. Their self-serving ambitions are also fuelled by personal factors; in Dr. Nemur's case, it is his overbearingly pushy wife, who honestly wanted a Big-name spouse, including a seat in Psychology at Princeton. As a result, Dr. Nemur's choices and personality are greatly influenced by his wife's decisions, resulting in an overall personality that discourages humility or social