This document discusses the relationship between individualism and scientific progress. It analyzes how scientific innovations can be used for both good and evil ends, as seen in "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" where technology allows a man to divide into two personas. The document also examines how new technologies increasingly invade privacy without consent. John Stuart Mill argued that scientific progress should not become dogmatic or used to undermine individual liberty, which he saw as fundamental to society. However, the document expresses pessimism that mankind's hunger for power cannot be suppressed and neutral science will always be exploited for personal gain and control.

1. BIOETHICS
Individualism related with scientific
development

2. Scientific and technological development
At the end of the 18 century the society has embarked on a
path of scientific and technological development that has
influenced modern novels just like important social,
political and economic decisions.
In this presentation the consequences of the progress and the
relationship between individualism and this faster and faster
development are well analysed.
th

3. “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” is a novel
that can easily explain the theme of double related
with the scientific progress. The protagonist of the
novel is a man divided into two characters: the
respectable Dr Jekyll and the evil genius Mr Hyde.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde
Good use of
scientific
innovations
Negative
use of
scientific
innovations

4. Technology used to invade people’s privacy
The use of new technologies has allowed politicians,
marketing agencies and social network to invade our privacy
without the knowledge of the people.
It’s not difficult for them to influence our opinion on a
brand of clothing or our political ideas.
Most of the people thinks that such things can happen only in
authoritarian regimes like the ex URSS or the modern China,
but the society prospected by George Orwell in his “1984” is
closer than we imagine.

5. George Orwell’s “1984”
“1984” is George Orwell’s novel published in 1949. The world
is divided into 3 continents ruled by authoritarian
governments. In Oceania, the protagonist Winston Smith tries
to fight against the Big Brother with negative results:
Thought police discovers his intentions and at the end of the
book he is killed.

6. John Stuart Mill and Individualism
John Stuart Mill is an utilitarian english philosopher who
discussed about the theme of progress related with
individualism: according to him, scientific innovations can’t
become dogmatic and can’t be used to invade our personal
sphere because individual liberty is the fundament of
society.
Scientific
method
extended to
the study of
human society
Scientific
progress as
social
improvement
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
AS THE FUNDAMENT
OF OUR SOCIETY

7. Distinction between technology and science
TECHNOLOGY:
It was the instrument used
by men to reach their
objectives, but now it is
our entire environment and
men are submissed to its
power.
SCIENCE:
Discipline that analyses
and defines the world with
the objective of knowledge.

8. Personal conclusions
First of all it’s necessary to explain my pessimistic idea on
human nature: in my opinion it’s impossible to suppress
mankind’s hunger for power.
According to that, neutral science will always be used by
evil people to reach power and other personal objectives and
technology is the best ally for them.
The solution would be the same prospected by Stevenson in
“The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”: men must kill
their “hungry for power” part.

9. Created by
Andrea Fornetto