Darwin's Theory of Human Nature

In "The Human Animal" by Charles Darwin, it is said 'Any instinct which is permanently stronger or more enduring than another, gives rise to a feeling which we express by saying that it ought to be obeyed.' One of the most basic human instincts, revenge, may be described as a major act that worldwide cultures feel overpower most other feelings. Passion, love, and envy are embedded or can lead to revenge. Darwin may have been implying that whichever feeling portrays the most empowerment, humans feel it is another person's inborn instinct to understand and tolerate it. This doesn't apply to only humans, as we know animals learn and live on instinct, not reasoning as implied by the philosopher, Descartes.

Darwin came up with this theory through extensive research at the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. The title of his essay "The Human Animal" can best explain his whole theory of evolution and morality. Both humans and animals evolve in the same way, and we carry the same instincts as seen in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. As mentioned, we rely on instinct as a form of survival. As the monster comes face to face with his creator, Dr. Frankenstein, he is hit with all but positive views of his creation.

In the same way that humanity has taught the monster how to hate, so has Frankenstein. Locke's theory of empiricism views humans as learning beings through experiences. Say, for example, throughout Frankenstein's childhood and adulthood he has encountered breakups, verbal/physical abuse. Along these common events in one's life, he has been in contact with humans of normal characteristics, height and size. Here comes his invention, which is the result of a challenge to God. The irony in the whole outcome is as he attempts to be equal to God, he creates the monster in the most human characteristic through reasoning.

Frankenstein says to the monster, '...and do not you fear the fierce vengeance of my arm wreaked on your miserable head?' Before their meeting, the monster committed atrocities that Frankenstein knew of but could not understand. All he knew were the actions, but not the reasons. Society feared the monster because of his enormous size and horrific features (How would you look if all your body parts were taken from the dead?). Therefore, they immediately attacked it out of fear and revenge of their human community. The monster's experience with humans was not the most welcoming.

Although other human body parts made up the monster, society viewed it as an animal, or a lower being. The monster spoke and had feelings just like the community, but they failed to see that. Their views of the monster were taken from his frightening image and the murders he had done. One can say that the monster was moral and immoral in a sense. Frankenstein created it just to make a creature as God did, and it is common knolwedge that one should not take on that challenge. It is too risky and many responsibilities lie under that thought. Later on in the book, Frankenstein begins to think of the chaos that would erupt if hemade that monster's female counterpart. He thinks that they might reproduce and try to take over the world by killing humankind and making little monster. When he goes back on his word, the monster is full of fury and seeks revenge on his maker. On Frankenstein's wedding night, revenge is sought and the monster strangles the bride of Frankenstein.

With the story of Frankenstein in mind, one can see the corrupt society as it was then and now. This still goes on, and will probably never change. As Darwin pointed out, humans along with the animals evolve through changes. Even though it may not be for the better, it is all through instinct that we evolve. This is how the natural world learns, through sense and emotions. The modern world changed through theory while the postmodern world seems to be changing through technology. The current period may be referred to as the technological age, but since humans and animals still exist, we cannot get rid of our basic human instincts.