This paper discusses the novel, first published in 1966, which relates the story of Charlie Gordon through a diary (a collection
of "progress reports") written by Charlie, a mentally-challenged man who via experimental brain surgery evolves into a genius. The writer points out that although many scientist and researchers in today's highly technological age are striving for ways to
increase the mental capacities of human beings through biological and
artificial means, when "Flowers for Algernon" first appeared, such ideas were pure science-fiction. The paper explains that despite Charlie's tragic outcome in the novel, it seems a wise idea to continue to pursue any and all means to increase the mental abilities of human beings, due in part to the need for highly-intelligent men and women who will confront unimagined conditions in the distant future.