Common Denominator: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Common Denominator: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Common Denominator is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for MacDonald, John D. (John Dann) (1916–1986).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Common Denominator" by John D. MacDonald is a science fiction novel written in the early 1950s. The story revolves around the interactions between humans and the Argonauts, an advanced alien civilization. It explores themes of societal evolution, the necessity for maturity in a species, and the consequences of unchecked human impulses. In the narrative, Lambert, a chief of the Bureau of Racial Maturity, becomes intrigued by the Argonauts after a successful cultural exchange. He discovers that the Argonauts had faced similar challenges to humanity but found a drastic solution to violence and instability: a form of self-administered euthanasia activated by a personal impulse to self-harm. This controversial practice allowed their society to thrive by weeding out potential sources of instability, ultimately leading to a content but stagnant civilization. The story culminates with Lambert reflecting on the implications of this practice and questioning if humanity could adopt such measures to survive its own destructive tendencies. Lambert's decision to leave his job in the ending suggests a broader contemplation on ethical governance and the future of humanity.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Common Denominator
- Author credits: MacDonald, John D. (John Dann) (1916–1986)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Suicide -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Science Fiction
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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