Flowers For Algernon Morality Quotes

The Moral Dilemma of Scientific Progress and Human Testing
Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon is a science fiction novel that examines the ethical considerations of human experimentation in scientific research. Charlie, a man with intellectual disabilities, is the subject of an experimental procedure designed to increase his intelligence. However, the scientists who conduct the experiment on Charlie neglect to consider the moral implications of such experimentation on a human being. The novel portrays the scientists' objectification of Charlie and their disregard for his well-being. The story highlights the danger of prioritizing scientific progress over ethics and morality. By failing to consider the potential risks and consequences of the

As his intelligence regresses and he begins to forget things and lose his intellectual capacity, he becomes emotionally and psychologically distressed. He becomes depressed and feels like he is reverting back to his former self. In fact, he becomes so depressed that he says, "I want to be left to myself. I have become touchy and irritable. I feel the darkness closing in. It's hard to throw off thoughts of suicide" (Keyes 18). This quote shows how the pursuit of knowledge can have unintended and potentially dangerous consequences. Charlie's regression causes him to become so distressed that he considers suicide as the only option, highlighting how the experiment ruined his life. Furthermore, Charlie's regression causes him to become more distant from the people he once knew and cared for. Charlie says, "I'm going to have lots of friends where I go" (Keyes 22), indicating that he is moving entirely to a different city to escape his past life. While this might seem like a positive outlook, the fact that he has to move to start over highlights the major setback caused by the operation. Restarting a life one has built for over three decades is a difficult task. This suggests that unchecked scientific experiments can lead to severe consequences, such as losing the ability to connect with others and ultimately abandoning one's previous life. Charlie’s regression is one of many challenges of such experiments demonstrating the immense harm that unchecked scientific experiments can