Revisiting Frankenstein: A Transhumanist Reading

Abstract

The paper entitled “Revisiting Frankenstein: A Transhumanist Reading” aims to revisit Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein through the lens of Transhumanism. The novel was written in the early nineteenth century, long before the emergence of transhumanist thought but it raises questions that strongly resonate with contemporary debates about the use of science and technology to transcend human limitations. The transhumanist desire to surpass natural boundaries is embodied in the character of Victor Frankenstein. He tries to discover the secret of life and creates a new being through scientific experimentation. His ambition to unlock the mysteries of creation reflects the modern aspiration to enhance or redesign human life through technological means. The creature produced by Victor can be interpreted as a proto-transhuman figure that exists at the intersection of the human and the artificial, challenging conventional definitions of humanity, identity, and embodiment. At the same time, the tragic consequences of Victor’s experiment reveal the ethical dilemmas associated with unchecked scientific ambition. By examining the novel through a transhumanist perspective, this study argues that Frankenstein anticipates many contemporary concerns about biotechnology, artificial life, and the future of humanity. Thus, the novel remains highly relevant in discussions about the possibilities and dangers of transcending the human condition.