Research Catalog

Title

The edge of evolution : animality, inhumanity, and Doctor Moreau / Ronald Edwards.

Author

Edwards, Ronald, 1964-

Publication

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2016]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xv, 274 pages; 25 cm

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?"--

Subjects

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

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

• PART ONE: NOT MEANT TO KNOW -- Chapter 1: The paw -- Taking exception / Science and fiction / Science fiction -- Chapter 2: The ism that wasn't -- It does not please you / Darwin in the middle / Two windows -- Chapter 3: Don't meddle -- Movies and Moreau / Sorcery / Life science -- PART TWO: THE THING IS AN ABOMINATION -- Chapter 4: The house of pain
• No pain, no gain / Moreau 1, Prendick 0 / Pain is real -- Chapter 5: Into the lab and onto the slab -- How / But why -- PART THREE: POOR BEASTS -- Chapter 6: All the difference -- Moreau's Man / Prendick's gaze / "No!" / The virago -- Chapter 7: To the beasts you may go -- No threshold / Selection and its discontents / The Valley -- PART FOUR: NO ESCAPE
• Chapter 8: That is the law -- Whose law? / Hell is real / The Jesus moment / The rebel -- Chapter 9: Beast monsters -- The taste of blood / The stubborn beast flesh / The horror -- Chapter 10: Big thinks -- Suffering and philosophy / Science and humanity.

Call Number

JFE 16-6086

ISBN

• 9780190212094
• 0190212098

LCCN

2015041332

OCLC

923796160

Author

Edwards, Ronald, 1964- author.

Title

The edge of evolution : animality, inhumanity, and Doctor Moreau / Ronald Edwards.

Publisher

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2016]

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Research Call Number

JFE 16-6086