R
Roger Shattuck
Roger Shattuck is the author of Forbidden Knowledge, a thought-provoking exploration of intellectual boundaries. His work often examines the intersection of culture and ideas.
Forbidden Knowledge
- Pages
- 369
- Published
- 1996
- Language
- English
Synopsis
Roger Shattuck asks whether there is knowledge human beings are better off not pursuing, and refuses the comfortable answer in either direction. The first half reads the question through Western literature: Adam and Eve, Prometheus, Milton's Paradise Lost, Goethe's Faust, Frankenstein, Billy Budd, Emily Dickinson, Jekyll and Hyde, Camus. The second half turns to cases where the stakes stopped being literary, among them the Manhattan Project, DNA research and genetic engineering, the crimes of Ted Bundy and the Moors murderers, and the writings of the Marquis de Sade. The argument runs against moral relativism and toward the claim that some limits are worth keeping.
Genres
Frequently asked questions
What is the central argument of Forbidden Knowledge?
Roger Shattuck's work critically examines the historical and cultural resistance to certain forms of knowledge, tracing how societies have defined and sometimes suppressed what they consider dangerous or taboo information across different eras.
How does Forbidden Knowledge relate to Shattuck's other works?
This book continues Shattuck's broader intellectual project of exploring the intersections of art, science, and culture, often with a focus on the ethical dimensions of human inquiry and creativity, similar to his earlier examinations of avant-garde movements.
Does Forbidden Knowledge discuss specific historical controversies?
The book delves into various historical instances where the pursuit or dissemination of knowledge led to significant societal upheaval or moral debate, drawing examples from scientific discoveries, artistic expressions, and philosophical ideas.