Upon hearing this, Wayne exchanged a glance with Master Terence beside him and asked Todd, "Your Majesty, there are some things we don't understand about these things."
Todd recalled that in his previous life, during his graduate studies, in a "Science Ethics" class, an old professor with white hair and beard talked about the psychological paradoxes of life research.
"Looking at the whole world, among so many species, only humans possess the most complete system of wisdom and morality. All of this is inseparable from a trait in humans called 'empathy' (Latin: empatheia)." Seeing that Terence and Wayne still looked confused, Todd continued to explain: "Empathy refers to the ability of humans to understand the thoughts of other people in social activities, and to be willing to put themselves in others' shoes and analyze and deal with problems from their perspective."
“Take what we just discussed, the issue of using animals and humans as experimental subjects, for example. People with low empathy believe that humans should be used as experimental subjects in academic research, just like animals; people with moderate empathy believe that animals can be used as experimental subjects, but humans cannot; while people with high empathy even believe that animals also have emotions and should not be used as experimental subjects.”
Looking at the thoughtful expressions of the people in the hall, Todd said softly, "People with lower empathy are more likely to commit cruel and serious acts against their fellow human beings. Although they can more easily access the essence of things, they are also more likely to provoke public anger or even attack."
At this point, Wayne suddenly voiced his doubts: "Exploring the essence of life requires extensive research on human beings. Won't this so-called empathy hinder academic progress?"
“That’s a good question!” Todd put down his report, walked between Terence and Wayne, and slowly said, “Empathy is a double-edged sword for academia. Scholars with too much empathy are bound to be hesitant and timid when conducting experiments and research; while scholars with too little empathy, in their pursuit of truth, abandon all humanity and morality, exploring the unknown from a purely self-interested perspective, often leading to disastrous consequences.” (For example, Fritz Haber’s mustard gas.)
Todd paused for a moment, then turned his gaze to Wayne: "So, the biggest challenge for a scholar is how to maintain a relatively neutral level of empathy in academic research and scientific ethics."
Wayne, from the Middle Ages, still couldn't fully accept this kind of thinking that involved scientific ethics: "Then what about war? In a war where you're fighting to the death, should we uphold so-called empathy and ignore technologies that could lead to national progress?"
Upon hearing the word "war," Todd's eyes dimmed, and he said in a somber tone, "Water makes up about 70% of the human body. Do you know how we arrived at that conclusion?"
Those present exchanged glances and shook their heads.
"A bunch of heartless beasts on the battlefield, under the guise of academic research, roasted dozens of people alive to death, and this is the result." Todd's eyes flashed with resentment and rage, and scales seemed to emerge from his skin beneath his clothes. "War is the ugliest, yet most helpless, thing in this world. The death and destruction that fill your eyes every day are enough to turn anyone into a demon..."
Todd stared into Wayne's eyes: "Wayne Dunlop, this is also something I want to say to you. Our country is at war, but that doesn't mean we have to become demons. Your soul experiment seems to me to be a very valuable subject. But using money to force the poor to sell their lives, to let them die in humiliation and sorrow, your actions have crossed the line of empathy for the general public."
Wayne gritted his teeth and pursed his lips, saying, "Your Majesty, I understand what you mean. But as long as my experiment can proceed smoothly, I don't recommend bearing these infamy."
Todd tapped his temple with the fingers of his right hand, looking at him with a disappointed expression: "Wayne, you didn't understand what I meant. What I was thinking was that you don't need to use money to force people to participate in experiments. You can actually find volunteers and have them join your experiments voluntarily."
Terence stood up in surprise: "Your Majesty, do you mean that someone would volunteer to participate in this absurd experiment?"
Todd nodded: "In the world I know, some people are willing to donate their bodies for medical research; some are willing to donate their organs after death to save those who need them. And now, there are nearly two thousand scholars in Twilight City who yearn for truth. How could no one try simply to have someone record the moment of their death?"
Terence's jaw dropped. "Donating your body and organs? Is that for real? Does such an incredible thing really exist in another world?"
Todd smiled and nodded, saying, "Wayne, I agree to let your experiment continue, but only on the condition that sacred scholarship is completely decoupled from vulgar money, and that certain standards of academic ethics are followed."
Wayne said with difficulty, "But Your Majesty, I am really not sure if anyone will volunteer to participate in my experiment."
Todd returned to his seat, picked up the report, shook it in the air, and shouted, "Use your data, your report, your passion for scholarship and your pursuit of truth to give speeches and spread the word, to tell people that death is not a terrible thing, and that the secrets of the spiritual world may be unlocked in your hands!"
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