which is more important?

Question

In David Lynch's Elephant man what is the portayal of science vs humanity (morality)

Answer 1

I think medical community has forgotten what it means to treat patients. There is more to placing people on some tests and reading test results. One thing people have forgotten, both healthcare professionals and everyone else, is the most important thing in healthcare.

In regards to the portrayal of science, I believe there is a limit to it. Freedom of press, for example, is not the justification to portray every single case in the world. For example, do you have to put a female victim of a domestic violence on TV in the name of say, "do not silence the brutal reality surrounding women"? I believe it's got its own point in women's rights, but there's another side that's not told: there are some who do not want to be told; but rather kept in secret. The same goes with the men too. Do you have to portray a man who has lost his genitalia for whatever reason in the name of the freedom of press?

The answer can be yes and no. I am not here to provide a definite answer to any case including the case of Joseph Merrick (aka Elephant Man). What I would like to voice out loud is that when you have an issue that is so grave and portraying it in however way in the name of some noble reason, what is quite often missed is that there's a dark side of it. In short, you can end up hurting women further in the name of women's rights; or hurt men further in the name of say freedom of press.

Another thing to consider is do people have to know? For what?

One thing I can say is this: you can find the cure to this disease or that disease in a medicine textbook. One thing you'll never find is the ethical questions...

I always think that the most important thing in healthcare is this: the tough of human heart. Without this, no matter how medical technology improves and how many of skilled doctors there are out there, the real healthcare would cease to exist. It is also important to everyone I believe.

I say humanity is more important than the portrayal of science.

"...I would be measured by the soul; The mind's the standard of the man" a poem Joseph Merrick frequently quoted.

Answer 2

This is a special case "the elephant man", and unfortunately he was treated immorally from birth. Starting with his mother and then the doctors that delivered him as well. He was abused by all around him. Being put into a Freak Show, (side show) in the Circus was where he was found and by then he had only known abuse. It was hard for him to accept that people cared about him, and in their own way the ones that had treated him in hope to find a cure were merciful and kind, for they for what ever the reason for the short life he lived and in pain made life easier and more comfortable for him. And he was truly grateful. It is unfortunate all the way around in these matters. But there again the Doctor that helped him was a moral man and he is sanctified for that no matter if he studied him or not, in those days and even today it was again the unknown a scary thing on all sides, no one even knew if they could catch a disease, certainly not the physician he had never seen anything like him before and nor did anyone else for a full study. And always know they do try to cure for the future so that no one will ever suffer again like that poor man did in his life.

Answer 3

Scientists often forget about compassion. They seem to think that discovering something new (a cure? a new desease?) is the most important thing no matter who or what (animals?) gets hurt in the search.
So many people were studying and/or gawking at The Elephant Man, that very few people actually cared enough to remember he was a human being with feelings. Some people believe, that even David Lynch was taking advantage of The Elephant Man.

Answer 4

I think it's the balance. Science is important, and morality is important. They work best when they work together.

Answer 5

If something is important, then everything else is unimportant.

If you are not important to yourself, then everything else is important to you.

If you are important to yourself, then everything else must be unimportant to you.

If elephant man is imporatant to you, then you are unimportant to yourself.

Now you can conclude: you are important or the elephant man?