Morality In John Gardner's Neuroscientist

Neuroscientist, author, and philosopher Dr. Sam Harris defines the moral or good action as ‘that which promotes happiness and well-being for the species, and is based on empathy towards other creatures.’ Despite the contemporary viewpoint of morality, this framework allows for some objective moral criteria. Murder can be viewed as evil, as excessive amounts of killing would prevent the species from propagating and surviving—thus decreasing overall well-being. Lying would also be considered immoral, as communication would be ultimately useless if everyone were to lie. While there are several actions not intrinsically “good” or “evil” according to this belief system, its ideals generally reflect the values that are, as biologists and psychologists …show more content…
As the text is narrated by Grendel himself, his brilliance radiates with each turn of the page, wether through his elegant wording and use of figurative language, or simply through his own realizations about life. “I understood that, finally and absolutely, I alone exist (Gardner 22),” he stated in reference to his overall isolated and lonely existence. Furthermore, his critique of human reasoning demonstrates a thorough understanding thereof. In reference to the religious leaders of the time, he states “Theology does not thrive in the world of action and reaction, change: it grows on calm, like the scum on a stagnant pool (Gardner 159).” Theology, a human study of religious texts, is based on unchanging, “absolute” truths, just as Grendel observed. Clearly, he is an intelligent being. His use of his mental capabilities is what makes him evil. He carefully examines each potential outcome of his various attacks, determining which will bring the most suffering to the people whom he is trying to affect. In each of his largest offenses, namely his attack on Wealthow, Grendel makes sure not just to harm people physically, but mentally. Through his intrusion of the hall and subsequent actions toward Wealthow, Grendel chooses not just to violate the queen in the one of the most gruesome ways, but unsure the people are psychologically scarred as well, as he, in his words, “wreck[s] another theory (Gardner 110)” of theirs. Surely no empathetic being would ever do such a thing. This proves that Grendel is not merely acting based on animalistic instincts, as some would claim, but rather he acknowledges the moral choice, and deliberately acts in the opposite way. Overall, Grendel’s misuse of his mental capabilities exemplify his will to be nothing other than a horrible, malevolent