The Consequences of Playing God

by WillSherJohnKhan

What are the consequences for those who have been created or altered without consultation? PLEASE NOTE: This is not about religious views. This is purely a discussion between two fictional characters. The philosophical questions are based on The Big Questions – Philosophy by Simon Blackburn. The Creature is as portrayed in the 2011 play by Nick Dear.

2. Do You Exist?

The MODERATOR addresses the unseen and unknown audience.

MODERATOR
"What you see before you is an example of someone who has been specifically engineered…"

The AUGMENT visibly stiffens.

MODERATOR
"And one who has been stitched together from the corpses of several individuals."

The CREATURE hangs his head in shame.

For his part the MODERATOR appears completely unmoved by any affront or distress his comments may have caused the two participants.

As far as he was concerned he was simply stating the facts as he knew them.

If they wished to contradict his ascertains, they were free to do so.

MODERATOR
"The first question then is this. Do you exist?"

The AUGMENT was first to respond.

AUGMENT
"If we didn't exist we couldn't be here."

The CREATURE nods his agreement.

MODERATOR
"But how do you know that you are here? What proof do you have?"

AUGMENT
"I have the proof of my enhanced senses. What I see, hear, smell, touch and taste tell me I'm here."

The MODERATOR is not convinced by the AUGMENT'S argument.

MODERATOR
"What is to say that your enhanced senses aren't deceiving you?"

AUGMENT
"Impossible."

MODERATOR
"How would you know?"

CREATURE
"Because we are conscious, and we have free will."

MODERATOR
"Is that so?"

The MODERATOR pauses to consider what both participants have had to say.

But the more time the MODERATOR stays in silent contemplation, the more ill at ease the AUGMENT and the CREATURE become.

And for good reason.

MODERATOR
"Consciousness and free will are very interesting concepts, especially when applied to the two examples on either side of me."

The MODERATOR indicates the AUGMENT.

MODERATOR
"Here we have a man who started off as normal and pitiable as any of his race.

But over a period of years his DNA was manipulated and so drastically modified that barely any of the original remains.

He has been forever changed. How he thinks, how he acts. His sole purpose in life has been irreversibly altered to suit the whims and fancies of a corporation looking for a way to develop the perfect weapon.

All thoughts of compassion and forgiveness have been erased."

The AUGMENT opens his mouth to speak, but his words refuse to emerge.

The MODERATOR now indicates the CREATURE.

MODERATOR
And then there is this poor devil. How can one such as this be said to exist, to be conscious and have free will."

The CREATURE flinches, and looks beseechingly around him, hoping to find someone to support him.

But there is no one.

MODERATOR
"Cobbled together as he is by a number of deceased and dismembered bodies. Brought to 'life' with the aid of a large electrical generator."

The CREATURE lets out an anguished roar.

CREATURE
"I am not responsible for how I came into being. The same can be said for any infant human or otherwise that is brought into the world. They were not consulted about whether they wanted to be conceived, others made that decision for them. And so it was with me. I stand here now, able to breathe, speak and move. I have the capacity to learn. You cannot deny that I exist, because I do."

The AUGMENT observed the CREATURE with a glimmer of admiration.

The MODERATOR gave little of his thoughts away, giving a barely perceptible shrug.

MODERATOR
"The point of this dialogue was not to judge, but to explain.

Now to continue."