The myth of Oedipus and the movie Gattaca explore the limits of humanity from a fatalistic perspective. It warns that human endeavors to transcend the fate determined by oracles and genetics, as well as advances in science and technology, could lead to a new fatalism, and asks whether there is a possibility of true free will.

To begin, I’d like to introduce you to the myth of Oedipus. The myth of Oedipus is the story of a hero who succumbs to fate. Here’s a rough outline of the plot
Laius, the king of Thebes in ancient Greece, receives an oracle that tells him that if his queen gives birth to a son, that son will be his downfall. Overcome with anxiety, he abandons his son, who is born some time later. The abandoned son is carried by shepherds to Corinth, where he becomes the adopted son of the king of Corinth and is named Oedipus.
As Oedipus grows up to be a prince of Corinth, he is prophesied a tragic fate at the temple of Delphi: he will murder his father and marry his mother. To escape his fate, Oedipus travels to Thebes and becomes its king. However, he eventually realizes that he cannot defy his fate and blinds himself in both eyes.
In this myth, it is the gods who decide fate. Humans are portrayed as unable to escape their fate, and this fatalistic view has had a profound impact on human history. However, this fatalism was only an option based on personal beliefs.
From the Middle Ages, when the authority of the divine was emphasized, to the modern era, when human reason and free will were emphasized, fatalism gradually faded away. Ironically, however, with the rapid development of science in the 20th century, fatalism, as interpreted by reason, would reemerge. The key to this was the discovery of DNA in 1953 by James D. Dewey Watson and Francis Harry Compton Crick.
Watson and Crick realized that DNA contains all the information that determines how we live. If we can decipher the DNA sequence and the information it contains, we can understand all of human behavior. For example, if we know the gene sequence associated with a particular disease, we can predict a person’s fate even before they are born. In this way, the determinism of human destiny is replaced by DNA and tiny molecules called genes. This is what we call “DNA-driven fatalism.
So, are we destined from the moment we are born? The director of the movie Gattaca (Gattaca) answers this question in a movie.

The plot of the movie Gattaca

The movie Gattaca is set in the near future, where genetic engineering has been developed. In this era, DNA analysis of just a drop of blood can reveal a person’s susceptibility to disease, personality, appearance, health, and even life expectancy.
The protagonist, Vincent Freeman, is born naturally, without any artificial manipulation. As soon as he is born, doctors analyze his DNA and predict that he is likely to develop several diseases and will die of heart disease at the age of 31. His brother, Anton Freeman, on the other hand, is conceived in a test tube and is born a “perfect” child, genetically engineered to eliminate all disease-causing factors.
Vincent has been fascinated by space since childhood and wants to become an astronaut, but his parents, who know his genetic information, discourage him. Vincent often competes with his younger brother Anton in swimming, but he is genetically disadvantaged and always loses. One day, however, Vincent wins the competition, and this event instills a little hope in his heart.
However, in the society in the movie, people who are conceived naturally are classified as “imperfectly fit” and those born through artificial insemination are classified as “perfectly fit”. Vincent is repeatedly frustrated because he must be a perfect fit to become an astronaut. He ends up working as a janitor, but he doesn’t give up on his dream of becoming an astronaut. He meets Jerome Eugene Morrow, a man who looks like him and is also eligible. Jerome has been disabled in an accident and sells his identity to Vincent. Vincent fakes Jerome’s identity and gets a job at an aerospace company.
Along the way, Vincent is involved in a murder and his identity is discovered, but he overcomes several crises and eventually becomes an astronaut and flies into space. Through this movie, the director conveys the message that even if one’s fate is genetically predetermined, personal effort and determination can overcome it.

At the end of the movie, Vincent, after winning a swimming competition against his brother, says “I beat you because I didn’t leave you with the strength to go back.” This line conveys the message that it is hard work that overcomes fate. But the movie reveals its limitations. While Vincent’s dreams are fueled by his tireless work and passion, coincidence plays a big role in the decisive moment. Vincent meets an identity provider who supports him, his brother comes to investigate the murder, and at the last minute, he receives help from a doctor who is in charge of drug testing. Without this help and coincidence, Vincent would not have been able to fulfill his dream. In this respect, the movie suggests the limitations of trying to overcome one’s genetic destiny, and is a dystopian warning of the dangers that science and technology can bring.

Can science and technology change destiny?

Humans have lived in class societies since the creation of surplus production, but even in class societies, class has never been an absolute determinant of individual superiority. Aside from social position, it’s hard to tell the difference between individuals. History supports this by showing that people of lower class have often achieved great things. In his book Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton points out that this fact is an important factor in relieving anxiety in class societies.
However, in the 21st century, advances in genetics have begun to undermine this thesis. Advances in genetics have made it possible to make people disease-free, healthier, smarter, and more beautiful through genetic manipulation before they are born. While this may seem like a utopia where everyone is disease-free, the benefits are unlikely to be shared equitably. If existing social classes determine who has access to these benefits, social superiority and personal superiority can coincide.
In other words, we could end up with a society where rich people are smarter, healthier, and better-looking than poor people. In such a society, class mobility will become more difficult. This is a very unhealthy social structure.
Technology is inherently value-neutral, but the people who use it are not. While technological advances can certainly bring many benefits to humanity, they can also make us unhappy. We must be vigilant to ensure that the genetic oracle does not create the Oedipus of the 21st century.