To be Human or not to be Human

Introduction
Humans are social species with their survival closely related to their ability to prosper in intricate social situations. The current society advocates a more individualistic view of self; however, regardless of the selfish nature of humans, there are principles in his or her nature that interest he or she in the wellness of others. These principles render the happiness of an individual dependent on the happiness of those around. Contemporary research in neuron sciences supports the existence of a neural mechanism that place an individual in empathic contact with others. This mechanism enables the observer to understand the intention and feelings associated with an action. The interest in others is not limited to humans, apes, and monkeys show a strong concern for what others are experiencing. Animals, including humans who show a concern for what others are experiencing express empathy. Empathy is the incident of understanding another individuals experience from his or her perspective. Accurate recognition of emotions is central to empathy. This accurate recognition enables the observer to experience compassion and sympathy.
To be Human or not to be Human

 Modern research supports the presence of mirror neurons within every individual that facilitate empathy and learning from observation; however, empathy involve more than a natural process, it involves a nurturing process with the parents playing a critical role. The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley explores the issue of human empathy by introducing a creature created by an eccentric scientist in an orthodox scientific experiment. The novel bring into focus whether empathy is natural or nurtured within a human. The story is a collection of letters written by Walton, an explorer, to his sister back home. Victor, the scientist, narrates the story to Walton after he rescues him. Walton narrates the story to his sister through letters. The entire book has three narrators, including victor, Walton, and the creature. The reliability of the narrators is in question because of the obvious biases evident throughout the narration. Each of the narrators has different perspectives dependent on their experiences. The story is a balanced view of a biased story (Mary, 2013).
The society is both a pleasure and burden to the members; however, a necessary part in the human experience. In the Frankenstein novel, the society places labels on individuals based only on the outward appearance without taking time to understand the internal emotional motivation of individuals. The society perceives Frankenstein as a decent good person and the creature he creates as an evil monster. The truth could not be further from this. As one reads the novel, it is evident when considering the perspectives of the two that the creature is largely misunderstood. The reader is compelled to sympathize with the monster. A close analysis of the plot reveal Frankenstein is an irresponsible, stubborn extremist. His irresponsibility is clear from the onset of his experiments (Mary, 2013).
When Frankenstein is developing his creation, he is caught up in his work that he never give thought to what happens to the creature after he creates it. After the creature come to life, he denies his responsibility to the creature and instead reject it. The creature at it early phase of life is like a child desiring only food, shelter, and love from a parent. Frankenstein does not allow any connection with the creature. Later when the creature demands a companion, Frankenstein denies the creature one. Frankenstein and the society are incapable of empathizing with the most because they judge it based only on its outward appearance. Looking beyond the outward appearance, the plot reveals that the creature is the only one that has rationale behind its thinking and action (Davis, 1996). When the creature first begins to exist, it is like a child, knows nothing, and feels only misery and solitude because his creature abandons him.
Victor fails to satisfy his role as a parent to the creature he creatures. The creature uses books to fill this void and they serve as a guide to love, relationships, and knowledge. The three books teach the creature the harsh realities of life. From John Miltons paradise lost, the creature learns about the dangers of temptations. The creature learns the lesson of love from the novel the sorrows of werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The creature acquires knowledge about moral virtues and leadership from the book lives by Plutarch. To understand the creature fully it is important to consider that the creature gets lessons about life from this books and they are the only accounts familiar to the creature. As a human child develops, he or she asks several questions. The parents are always there to provide support and guidance as the child seeks the answers. These questions apply to the creature as a child; however, the creature lacks a parent figure to provide the necessary support and guidance (Davis, 1996).
Empathy is both natural and nurtured in humans. For the creatures case, he lacks the luxury of a parent to nurture his ability to empathize with others. The creature only learns by observation and later reading. The creature kills a child and frames Justine for the crime. These two are inhumane acts; however, the character of the creature must be viewed only in the entirety of his experiences and actions. Books cannot in replace the role a parent plays. The creature only learns by observation, experiencing and reading from books. The society has a major influence on the perception of the individual members. The society views the creature as a monster just like its creature. This influence the creatures perception of its self and in a way contributes to its inhumane actions. Throughout the novel, the creature performs many human actions including supplying firewood and doing other household chores in the house, he lives in earlier in the plot (Davis, 1996). He stops taking food from the family in the house he uses as shelter when he finds out that they are suffering. The creature saves a girl from drowning and does not mean to kill the boy when he encounters him. It is clear from the events in the novel that Frankenstein is the inhumane one whereas the creature is humane as it shows ability to empathize. The creature empathizes with the drowning girl, the family of a blind father and two kids, and Frankenstein after his death. Throughout Frankensteins life, his actions are selfish and he always seems self-absorbed (Mary, 2013).
In Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? there is three classes of people in the society. The social interactions are set in a future society where humans have the capacity to explore space and part of the earth is contaminated with radiation from a nuclear war. Technology innovations at the time allow for the development of androids whose physical appearance is like that of a human. The radiation contamination in part of the earth affects peoples genetic makeup causing decay. Those whose genes are affected by the radiation are specials. The members of the society include humans, specials, and androids. The relationship between humans and androids is more established and the android are a creation of the entire society unlike in Frankensteins society where the monster is a new member in the society and a creation of an individual (Dick, 2010).
The distinction between humans, specials, and androids in Dicks society is unclear. The society runs a test to identify those who are affected by the radiation. Those who fail the test do not leave earth and are considered lesser humans like the androids. The androids serve the purpose of accompanying humans on their missions to other planets to act as servants. Some of the android are not contented with this role and often escape to come back to earth. In earth, they are considered a menace and the society hires bounty hunters, such as Deckard to hunt and terminate them. The society fears that the android may overcome their built-in age limit and become a new race to rival the humans (Arendt, 1958).
Isodore is a character in the novel occupying a lower social status than Deckard. Isodore has failed the humanity test because his genes are decaying. He also he a low IQ and his only roles are to drive broken down android pets for servicing. Humans keep artificial animals to distinguish themselves from androids and to signify social status. Keeping a pet is an action requiring empathy something androids are incapable of doing. Empathy is a very important criterion for humanity; however, from the beginning of the novel it is clear that Isodore is more humane than Deckard. According to the definition of the society at the time Deckard is more humane than Isodore, however, a close look at their actions reveal that Isodore is more humane. Isodore like to feel close to people and often uses in empathy box. An empathy box is a device that the people in the society use for recreation and religion. The device enables one to merge and empathize with an entity by the name Mercer (Dick, 2010).
Deckard uses the Voigt-Kampff test to differentiate androids from humans. The Voigt-Kampff test is an empathy test that does not seem to work perfectly for a new version of the android; Nexus-6 model. The validity of test does not seem to concern Deckard who administer the test and retires anyone he deems an android. Deckard retires one android after another without showing any emotions. This may be because of the knowledge that androids are not human; however, the inconsistency of the test and fact that the final decision whether one is an android or not lies with him should be a cause for concern. The only person Deckard seems to share a connection with is his wife Iran who complains that he is drifting away and uses the family empathy box less frequent. Most of the time Deckard just like Frankenstein lacks emotions (Arendt, 1958). Isidore like to associate with people and often uses his empathy box. He carries a cube of margarine to welcome his neighbors. He allows Pris and her two android friends to move into his house and help where he can. Isidore empathizes with the loneliness his new friends feel and does his best to make them feel comfortable. The society classifies Isidore as less human when compared to Deckard, however, a close look at their actions reveal that Isidore is more humane. Empathy is central to humanity. Deckard is incapable of empathy while Isidore shows it to all, including the androids (Dick, 2010).
Conclusion
The two societies in the novels treat artificial men in a less humane manner. In both Frankenstein and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ the artificial men have more humanity than the real men. Humanity is a trait acquirable through experience and interaction with others. It does not depend on how one comes into existence, nurturing the trait is the most important factor. The artificial men and those considered less human in society desire companionship and take steps to reach this. The humans on the other hand, disregard their friends like is the case Frankenstein whose obsession with creating life led him to lose contact with friends and family. Deckard is also drifting away from his wife the only person he shares a connection. The creature in Frankenstein takes several steps to increases the chances of making friends with the family living in the cottage. To be or not be human is a trait acquired through experience and nurtured through interaction with others in a humane manner.
 References
Arendt, H. (1958). The human condition. Chicago, Ill.
Davis, M. H. (1996). Empathy: A social psychological approach. Boulder, Colo: WestviewPress.
Dick Philip K. (2010). Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? London: Orion. Pp 208.
Mary Shelley. (2013). Frankeinstein. Ontario: HarperCollins Canada. Pp 211.