Darwin’s
discussion of human sub-species in The
Descent of Man offers an intriguing parallel to the relationship between
science and literature. He claims
that if presented with people of different races, a naturalist would classify
them as two distinct species.
However, Darwin argues, there is so much overlap between people of all
races that these similarities “can be accounted for only through inheritance
from a common progenitor” (234).
Literature and science can be viewed in the same light: although they
may seem unrelated on the surface, they both share roots in human evolution.
As
early humans became more intelligent, they became unable to “avoid looking
backwards and comparing the impressions of past events and actions” (235). Questions about where they came from,
why they behaved in certain ways, or how natural phenomena occurred eventually
led to biology, psychology, physics, and other scientific disciplines. At the same time, their intelligence
allowed them to imagine the future or alternate realities. Imagination coupled with social
interactions formed the basis of story telling, song, and literature as we know
it today. Both literature and
science stemmed from intelligence applied to different environments, allowing
them to acquire adaptations to best suit their cultural needs. Although the two fields have diverged
over evolutionary time, their phylogenetic similarities are overwhelming.
Literature
and science are still close enough to be able to interact and form new
products, much like how two members of different sub-species can
reproduce. Darwin stresses the
importance of “educating and stimulating in all possible ways the intellectual
faculties” in order to “make the conscience more sensitive” (236). Focusing on either discipline to the
exclusion of the other leads to an atrophied conscience. This concept is reminiscent of Frankenstein; both Victor and the
monster are familiar with either science or literature, leading to
tragedy. Victor, who was so
focused on viewing the past and present through the lens of science, does not
foresee the ramifications of his experiment actually working. In this way, Shelley makes a point very
similar to Darwin’s. Literature
and science are two sides of the same coin; by neglecting one, you neglect half
of your evolved intelligence.
How
does this theme of intelligence come up in other works that we’ve read, such as
The Time Machine? Are there other manifestations of
intelligence in addition to science and literature that we should be
stimulating to maximize our abilities?
I'm really latching onto your idea about how "literature and science are two sides of the same coin; by neglecting one, you neglect half of your involved intelligence." This portion of your post made me consider the form of Naden's and Blind's poetry: why did Naden and Blind explore Darwin's ideas in poetry? To what purpose? I'm not sure I have an answer for these questions, but I can pose a theory: I personally felt more stirred when reading the poems, which evoke a sense of imagery and grandeur that Darwin's piece just couldn't capture in its matter-of-fact tone. Perhaps the poems seek to combine scientific content with emotionally engaging form to create a stronger blend between disciplines. Or maybe Naden and Blind hope to connect Darwin's abstract idea to a more accessible depiction of life (in Naden's case) and the corporeal world (in Blind's case).
ReplyDeleteLike Lauren, I was also struck by Naden's and Blind's choice to present their ideas as poetry. However, I feel that the contrast between the poets and Darwin reinforces Ben's assertion that science and literature are essentially inextricable, and in many ways dependent on each other. The vivid, romantic imagery of Naden's and Blind's poems truly conveys the sense of wonderment and awe that can accompany scientific discovery. Lines like "Enkindled in the mystic dark/ Life built herself myriad forms/ And, flashing its electric spark/ Through films and cells and pulps and worms..." are likely to be more engaging and emotionally resonant than a scientific treatise, and therefore more apt at reflecting the wonder that so often underlies scientific pursuits. At the same time, the poems demonstrate how scientific theories such as natural selection run throughout traditional literary themes like romantic love and courtship. However, I do not feel that this makes poetry any "better" at conveying scientific information, especially because there are times when imagery and wordplay may (understandably) trump strict accuracy. Rather, these women show that poetry represents one of many equally valid methods of conveying scientific thought. In doing so, they provide yet another illustration of the ways in which science and literature are intertwined.
ReplyDeleteI really like that you are marrying together Darwin's ideas about human sub-species and intelligence in this way. As you mentioned, atrophied conscience comes as a result of neglecting some crucial element of humanity, either their (scientific) physiological needs or their literary sensitivities. When describing how men, like all animals, improve their species through competition, Darwin says "there should be open competition for all men; and the most able should not be prevented by laws or customs from succeeding best and rearing the largest number of offspring." Darwin cautions that, without struggle, man "would soon sink into indolence." Interestingly, this seems to be the same as one of the points Wells tries to make in The Time Machine. Without physical or mental conflict, there is atrophied conscience and the human race seems destined to descend to a race like the feeble Eloi. In a very different manner than Darwin, Wells stresses the cruciality of human competition as an essential to the race. Human competition resulting in an eventual more vigorous, intelligent species almost seems then to be the perfect meeting of science and literature. It could result in a human finally given the title of unarguable head of the chain of being. However, their is no guarantee that after this perfect meeting that there will not be some later tipping point leading to an end species like the Eloi.
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