In time travel as with all things, ethics come into hard and definite contact. Much like the screaming hot red rubber in a summer game of dodgeball. So we're gonna talk about that.
"In Science Fiction time travel often represents a return to our roots. To simpler times and simpler ways. The perspectives with which they are viewed remain more simplistic. Purer visions of the 1950's or the 1920's or the 19th century which tone down racism, injustice and lack of civil rights. Like an idealized childhood, they let us return to the historical womb."
Our time traveler was a scientist first and foremost. In order to evaluate whether he was ethically right or wrong we need to consider the ethics scientists subscribe to or are bound by:
Scientists have access to knowledge and tools beyond the grasp of the average individual. With this, they are constantly making complex decisions every step of the way with their experiments, exchange of information and interpretation of data. These very decisions shape the field of science, the impact it will make to upon society and define the scientist professionally. Thus, judgment becomes a tool for the scientist to use. When we recognize human judgment as a scientific tool we begin to see how personal values affect the field of science.
Let us consider the Time Traveler in this context. The book opens up with him having chosen to share exclusive information about his time machine with other colleagues. Whether people believe him or not is another issue, but the Time Traveler has opted to disclose his powerful information with others as opposed to keeping it to himself, (kind of like what Tony Stark did at the end of the Iron Man movie). Why did he do it? Did he value this new technology and felt compelled to share it with the world, starting with a handful of friends first? Was he worried he my not be able to return to his own Victorian period and disclosed the machine as a means to cast a safety net for a safe return? We will never know but these kind of questions put us in the mindset of the Time Traveler and offer insights to the ethics that may have guided him.
The Time Traveler’s values come into play when he determines which is the higher species between the Elois and the Morlocks. The geographically elevated, peaceful and vegetarian Eloi’s lifestyle appeal to the Time Travelers ideals compared to the Morlocks who are subterranean and feast upon flesh. Though he does find flaws with the Elois, because their values are in synch with the scientist he considers them to be the higher species. Here are a few examples of how the Eloi and Morlocks are perceived and/or judged by the Time Traveler:
His first interaction with the Elois:
“I felt like a schoolmaster amidst children..” (Ch 4, p 26)
“I thought of the physical slightness of the people, their lack of intelligence…..” (31)
“I never met people more indolent or more easily fatigued…” (26).
“The queer thing I soon discovered about my little hosts was their lack of interest. (27).
The Time Traveler describes the Eloi’s lifestyle, but before does this he ponders the evolution of humanity through science and the improvements made to elevate the standards of living for humans and humans only.
“We improve our favorite plants and animals – how few they are – gradually by a selective breeding; now a new and better peach, now a seedless grape, now a larger and sweeter flower, now a more convenient breed of cattle. (30)”
“In the end, wisely and carefully we shall readjust the balance of animal and vegetable life to suite our human needs (30).”
Now he has fast-forwarded to the Eloi’s date and time and continues to evaluate the Elois:
“This adjustment, I say, must have been done, ad done well; indeed for all Time, in the space of Time across which my machine leaped. The air was free from gnats, the earth from weeds, everywhere were fruits and delightful flowers; brilliant butterflies flew hither and thither. The ideal of preventive medicine was attained. Diseases were stamped out.”
“Social triumphs, too, had been effected. I saw mankind household in splendid shelters, gloriously clothed, and as of yet I found them engaged in no toil. (30)”
He is now recognizing the downside to all of this harmony:
“In a state of physical balance and security, power, intellectual as well as physical, would be out of place. (31)”
Despite their lack of intelligence the Time Traveler seems to be pleased with the Elois:
“As I stood there musing over this too perfect triumph of man…. (Ch. 5 p32).”
The Time Traveler’s first impression of the Morlocks. He is implying they are not human:
“I turned with my heart in my mouth, and saw a queer little ape like figure… (Ch 5, p 44).”
“ I cannot even say whether is ran on all-fours, or only with its forearms very low (44.)
Science is not without bias:
“But gradually the truth dawned upon me: that Man had not remained one species, but had differentiated into tow distinct animals: that my graceful children of the Upper World were not the sole descendents of our generation, but that this bleached, obscene nocturnal Thing, which flashed before me, was also heir to the ages. (44).”
“Probably my shrinking was largely due to the sympathetic influence of the Eloi, whose disgust of the Morlocks I now began toappreciate (Ch 6, 48).”
As you can see, the Time Traveler’s evaluation of which is the higher species is made by human judgment on how each group relates to his own set of values. This can be a tricky area when it comes to science. One good example is the study of eugenics: a science that deals with the improvement (as by control of human mating) of hereditary qualities of a race or breed (Merriam-Webster). Needless to say, the use of personal beliefs in science can distort or skew the research. Eliminating them all together is not ideal and, of course, impossible since scientist are human after all. But it is important to remember this when we consider the how the Time Traveler classified the Elois and the Morlocks.
The Time Traveler with Weena an EloiMorlocks
The Time Traveler. He’s not immoral, or anything of the sort. In fact he’s more like Professor Utonium, combining sugar, spice, and everything nice. These were the ingredients chosen to create the perfect little girls.
Yeah. I just went there. You see, he sees the world through the eyes of a scientist. Which he is. A scientist. As such he’s instinctively chosen to take his ques from his spiritual brothers, the time travelers from A Sound of Thunder, not drastically changing the course of his future history. Though he never says anything to this effect, he doesn’t kill all the Morlocks, or just as likely, none whatsoever, even though he has a deep and natural dislike of them for some odd reason. I mean that Hannibal guy, he was a keeper right? You just wanna kind of tussle his hair.
But that good ol’ H.G. really knew what he was writing. He took into the consideration that maybe the reader could find a way to sympathize (become simpatico) with the Morlocks. So he made them beasts. People always feel a connection with, well, people. And if it’s a movie, dogs.
A Code of Ethics for the Time Travel Tourist
Should the Time Traveler alter his behavior while visiting different time periods? Since he is the first to time travel, should he develop and follow a code of ethics for future time travelers? While the Time Traveler himself crossed over from tourist to active participant when he pulled Weena from the water, we can evaluate his behavior and see if it falls under The Global Development Research Center’s list of core principles global tourist should follow when visiting a different country.
Tourism's contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies
Tourist are to understand and promote the ethical values common to humanity with an attitude of tolerance for the social and cultural traditions and practices of all peoples, including those of minorities and indigenous peoples and to recognize their worth.
The Time Traveler did not maintain a mutual respect for the Morlocks, rather he villainized them for being who they are. He interfered with the indigenous peoples practices mostly as a result of is close interaction with the Elois. Had he been just a distant observer, this future society would have been shielded from the Time Traveler’s own values.
Tourists and visitors have the responsibility to acquaint themselves, even before their departure, with the characteristics of the countries they are preparing to visit. The Time Traveler had advanced so far into the future with out stopping along the way to observe the gradual changes of values in society.
If the Time Traveler were to compare present time, 2009, to his Victorian period, he would probably blush at the changes in clothing alone. Had he understood all of the changes he may have been more sympathetic towards the Morlocks.
While traveling, tourists and visitors should not commit any criminal act or any act considered criminal by the laws of the country visited and abstain from any conduct felt to be offensive or injurious by the local populations, or likely to damage the local environment.
While trying to free his time machine from the Morlocks enclosure, the Time Traveler bangs on bronze plaques, flattens and dings the cast details; in a word: vandalism. Although is no law enforcement in this new world, the Time Traveler would surely get fifty canes in present day Singapore for such an act.
The Time Traveler was trying to get back home at all costs. He did not intentionally want to start a large fire, inflict environmental damage and death but he did and it was the result of his own selfish motivation to get back home. Any other person in his position would have likely done the same. The Time Traveler did express awareness of his actions and the effect they could have on the peaceful Eloi when he threw a tantrum about his missing machine.
The Time Traveler will only learn by trial and error how much or little he should participate within future and past worlds. By following a few global tourist ethical guidelines, his impact to their people and environments should be minimal. His dealings of time travel could become more about observing first before altering. Of course, all is unpredictable in unknown future worlds, but the Time Traveler could begin to lay the groundwork for the code of ethic for time travel.
Should Time Travel Be Allowed?
There is no one to stop the Time Traveler from traveling, only his own morality and judgment. He is the inventor, so by all means he holds every right to explore the new technology he created. Time travel is a powerful thing and once word spreads it is possible there will surely be a line of people ready to exploit the means for personal gains. It is when that happens it should or will need to be regulated.
This is a very western way of thought: We must control it! Other cultures seem a bit more relaxed about the possibility of time travel and altering moments in time for personal reasons. The yogis believe if you want to change your own life then by all means do it. It is karma that will regulate those who abuse changes in time. In the Karma system, all actions are actively shaping one’s past, present and future and it cannot be escaped.
Of course, if time travel were to be sold and available to the public it could be viewed as unethical because only a small population would be able to do so. The same argument is made when the discussion of space tourism arises. Space tourism, which has now become a reality, is considered by some to be frivolous and elitist. Opportunities are limited and very expensive. One way to resolve this argument is to make sure it is available to all.
Another issue is safety both for the traveler and those inhabiting past and future worlds. The Time Traveler put himself in unforeseen danger he barely escaped. How could safety be ensured when masses of people time travel? The possibility of someone killing or robbing you in a past life could be high depending on your wealth or circle of friends. It would be difficult to manage safety not only through different time periods, but also according to the laws of different regions and countries.
Hollywood has tried to resolve this issue in Time Cop.
After safety for ourselves, we must consider the environmental impact that both time travel and space tourism will have on the planet. The Time Traveler introduced the element of fire to a future world that did not have it. He could have also introduced airborne viruses the Morlocks, Elois and plant life were not immune to. The rapid rate at which he traveled could have left something ablaze somewhere in time. It is unknown the extent of the environmental impact his travels produced. The only way to tell is to go into the future again and compare the before and after. There is where the catch 22 lies. We have more knowledge in the environmental impact of space travel and that impact should weigh heavily within the ethical debate of should we/shouldn’t we.
How does he view the Morlocks and Eloi and are his judgments of the rightness or wrongness of their action founded?
Well, he viewed them as completely un-human, which I guess, which is a pretty fair assessment, although at the same time, wrong. Unless you decide that children and (what's the politically correct term now-a-days? Little people?) little people aren't human; you see, because that's how he describes the Eloi right? It's sort of uncool of him to say that. But the Morlocks are sort of the big monstrous cannibal style gorilla - mole people of your dreams. The bad ones.
See what I mean? But on a side note, here's Weena from
the same movie:
Seems like a fair trade. Yeah. Completely fair. And when Weena looks like this, it isn't weird when you read between the lines of the book and find yourself asking a few questions about the time traveler's relationship with her. I know I'm not the only one who has a mind that went there. Come on. Stand up proudly now, all of you. Oh. I totally can't see anyone reading this. Go ahead and sit back down. Sorry about that.
A Quick Overview of Ethics.
The Time Traveler was forced to make serveral decisons using these three rules of ethics as a guide,
conscious or not.
1) Utilitarianism : "Based on consequentiality, meaning that only the consequences of the action count in making moral judgments; weighing out the consequences of an action. By giving a plus to each factor that would cause pleasure, and a minus to each factor that would cause pain, adepts of UtilitarianisTimecop: The Berlin Decision. Dir. Steve Boyum. Screenplay by Gary S. Thompson. By Mike Richardson and Mark Verheiden. Perf. Jason Scott Lee. 2003.
m could determine whether the action was morally right or wrong."
2) Natural Law : "Based on practical reason, which prescribes the rules for our actions in order for us to be happy. Murder, suicide, euthanasia, adultery, rape, theft, deceit, and slavery are deemed wrong with absolutely no exceptions."
Bradbury, Ray. The llustrated Man. "The Fox and the Forest"
3) Pure Practical Reason: "Reason alone decides what is moral and immoral. Actions are considered moral if they are based on the pure motive and desire to do one's duty."
This is a video of a New York firefighter who had to apply practical reason in the resuce attempts after 9/11.
Childhood Curiosity
Basically we are saying that everything experimentation wise comes from childhood. We are later told that things are not possible or not correct. We are not in a sense born with morels they are put into us by the culture around us. Thus when we revert back to our final choices it is that that influences our actions and thoughts. our simple minded childish state. "Why not have this adventure?" and the "this is wrong because someone a long time ago taught me it was"
Evidence: Child's Perspective on Time Travel
"An adaptation of H.G Well's Time Machine for Nickelodeon by Dic. Tom's scientist father, overwhelmed with grief over the loss of his wife, invents a time machine. He attempts to go in to the future to find a cure that he can take back in time to his wife, so that she might live. He never comes back, only his time machine. So Tom goes into the future to rescue his dad."
Bradbury, Ray. The llustrated Man. "The Fox and the Forest"
Here is a clip of Physicist who lost his dad at 10 and is trying to create a time machine to save his father's life. * ** * Which just happens to be the plot of many a time travel movie, including two of The Time Travel remakes, and kind of sorta the plot of the Timecop series. To an extent. Anyways. Watch this.
Works Cited
"Global Codes of Ethics for Tourism." GDRC | The Global Development Research Center. Web. 31 July 2009. <http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/principles.html>.
Huxley, Thomas. "Evolution and Ethics." The Romanes Lecture Collected Essays IX (1893).
Suvin, Darko. "H.G. Wells and Modern Science Fiction." Bucknell University Press (1977): 279.
"The ethics of time travel in Science Fiction." HubPages. 11 July 2009 <http://hubpages.com/hub/ethicsoftimetravel>.
"The Ethics of Time Travel." University of Michigan. 11 July 2009 <http://www.umich.edu/~engtt415/ethics/>.
Time Kid. Dir. Will Meugniot and Pam Carter. By Michael Edens. VHS. DIC, 2003.
Evidence: Child's Perspective on Time Travel
"An adaptation of H.G Well's Time Machine for Nickleodon. Tom's scientist father, overwhelmed with grief over the loss of his wife, invents a time machine. He attempts to go in to the future to find a cure that he can take back in time to his wife, so that she might live. He never comes back, only his time machine. So Tom goes into the future to rescue his dad."
The Time Machine. Dir. George Pal. Screenplay by David Duncan. By H. G. Wells. Perf. Rod Taylor. 1960.
Evidence: "For a moment I was staggered, though the import of this gesture was plain enough. The question had come into my mind abruptly: "were these creatures fools?"
"It is a law of nature we overlook, that intellectual versatility is the compensation for change, danger, and trouble."
"Nature never appeals to intelligence until habit and instinct are useless. There is no intelligence where there is no change and no need of change."
The Time Machine. Dir. Simon Wells. Screenplay by John Logan and David Duncan. By H. G. Wells. Perf. Guy Pearce. Film. 2002.
Timecop: The Berlin Decision. Dir. Steve Boyum. Screenplay by Gary S. Thompson. By Mike Richardson and Mark Verheiden. Perf. Jason Scott Lee. 2003.
Evidence: Control / Enforcing Control
"The TEC (Time Enforcement Commission) the agency that makes sure that no one travels into the past without permission and changes history."
Time Cop. Dir. Peter Hyams. Screenplay by Mark Verheiden. By Mike Richardson and Mark Verheiden. Prod. Mike Richardson. Perf. John-Claude Van Damm. Film. 1994.
Evidence: Potential abuse of time travel.
"The perfection of time travel brings with it new opportunities for criminals. The government sets up a special police force (T.E.C.) to ensure the new technology isn't abused."
Venturini, Jan-Marie, comp. Time Travel Narratives. University Readers, Inc., 2009.
Wells H.G. The Time Machine. Tor book. New York. 1986
See what I mean? But on a side note, here's Weena from
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