Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment

8. Was this a true experiment? If so, what was being tested? In the short twaddle Dr. Heideggers Experiment, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, rather than observing the effect on wad of the water from the Fountain of Youth, there is a true experiment behind. Though the teller spends chunks of description on how the water substitutes peoples appearance and action, the inner human nature is what it documentaryly tests. As the doctor said before the experiment, it would be well that, with the experience of a life while to direct you, you should draw up a few general rules for your guidance, in passing a indorsement time through the perils of youth. Though not explicitly shown in the story, it is apparent that the experiment involves more than physical changes. Concerned with the behavior of people, Dr. Heidegger is not just interested in the physical effect of the water. Will anyone ever discover from previous experiences? Will people make the same mistakes if they contract a chance to st art over? Whats the relationship between age, appearance, and action? The experiment is true for it raises several questionable issues related to human nature and reveals certain answers through the behaviors of the four people in the story. a) Why did he select four people of such similar personality? Would it not have been a more productive and elicit experiment had differing personalities been included? By selecting four people of similar personality, Dr. Heidegger could have a better understanding on his experimental subjects and reached his manipulation. One fact in common is that they were all sad old creatures who had been unfortunate in life. Namely, these four elders all squandered their money and reputation due to youthful foolishness.As the purpose was to explore the human nature (whether people would change), he knew that if given over a choice to be young again, they would be the ones who wanted to change most. Yet, all of them proved the doctor wrong in the end, w hich clearly served the purpose of the experiment as well as made it more representative. If differing personalities were included, it would make the experiment harder to conclude, digress from its purpose, and misplace its precision.Controlling variables was an important step to reach the result which was to examine whether youthful foolishness could be changed. Besides, it wouldnt be any more productive since any sure-fire experiment aiming to figure out a general phenomenon requires more than one subject. And in this case, four was a better choice. ? b) What did Dr. Heidegger expect to checker? What efficiency have been his initial dead reckoning? Support your thinking with reference to the story. Dr. Heidegger expected to see a change in behaviors when the four guests were given a do-over chance.Before they drank the magical water, he reminded them that it would be well that, with the experience of a lifetime to direct you, you should draw up a few general rules for your gu idance, in passing a second time through the perils of youth. In other words, he wished his four guests would change whatever caused their previous failure and stop making the same mistakes. He hoped to see a positive transformation which the elders used their lifetime wisdom to guide themselves in the right way. However, as high as his expectation appeared to be, his initial hypothesis wasnt exactly ideal.When he asked the four friends to assist him, he claimed that For my own part, having had much trouble in growing old, I am in no hurry to grow young again. That is, the doctor himself had no intention to be young make up though he once had some ugly time, just like his guests. Thus, we can buoy conclude that the reason he just wanted to be an observer was that he believed people would make the same mistakes even granted a second chance. ? c) What, if anything, did he expect his subjects to learn from the experiment? What might have been his purpose?As his guests suffered in t heir youth and lost their vigor, he might expect them to learn that since people couldnt change, they might as well accept the reality. After the experiment, Dr. Heidegger said, Well I bemoan it not for if the overflow gushed at my very doorstep, I would not stoop to bathe my lips in it no, though its delirium were for years instead of moments. Such is the lesson ye have taught me As we can see, Dr. Heidegger knew this water did no good on people except creating illusions. And even in fake reality, people still remained who they used to be without single change despite of their senility. Pressing the withered rose to his withered lips Dr. Heidegger also said that I love it as well thus as in its wet freshness. Compared with his subjects, Dr. Heidegger appeared to possess more wisdom and virtue, which was the two presents of age. He loved the way he was, for his age gave him wisdom. Therefore, all he did was to test his friends with the expectation that they would learn to chang e, or at least realize the inevitability of old age and death, and then embrace their presence after all these.The purpose of this experiment might be to discover the relationship between age, appearance, and behavior. Age, despite of physical senescence, depends more on the state of mind. Though the guests were seen to act differently due to their youthful appearances, the real reason was their inner self, who they thought they were. However, the experiment also proved that one was not likely to change who he or she really was even given another chance.