Montshire Talks: Frankenstein and the Philosophy of Science

Frankenstein and the Philosophy of Science, featuring Michael Ashooh Montshire Talks: Frankenstein200 is a Montshire conversation series that celebrates the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein”. From a philosopher’s perspective, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein operates on several levels: a philosophical exploration of what it means to be human and the nature of moral responsibility, the nature of science and scientific knowledge—at a pivotal and transitional moment in the history of science—and of the role of the scientist in society. Contextualizing these philosophical and scientific issues helps us see Frankenstein as a fascinating and provocative exploration of questions about human nature and the human condition, the quest for knowledge, and the nature of moral responsibility. Dr. Michael Ashooh specializes in the philosophy of science and explores the context in which Frankenstein was written, and the lasting scientific and moral questions raised by this modern myth. Dr. Ashooh is a lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Vermont. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Ledyard National Bank.