Star Trek and Philosophy The Wrath of Kant

by Decker, Kevin S.; Eberl, Jason T.

• ISBN13: 9780812696493
• ISBN10: 0812696492
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-09-01
• Publisher: Open Court

Summary

Philosophy and space travel are characterized by the same fundamental purpose: exploration. An essential guide for both philosophers and Trekkers, Star Trek and Philosophy combines a philosophical spirit of inquiry with the beloved television and film series to consider questions not only about the scientific prospects of interstellar travel but also the inward journey to examine the human condition. The expansive topics range from the possibilities for communication among different cultural backgrounds to questions about the stoic temperament exhibited by Vulcans to Ferengi business practices. Specifically chosen to break new ground in exploring the philosophical dimensions of Star Trek, these articles boldly go where no philosopher has gone before.

Table of Contents

The Federation Council
Ex Astris, Scientia
Seek Out New Ideas: Major Philosophical Themes in Star Trek	p. 1
From Shakespeare to Wittgenstein: "Darmok" and Cultural Literacy	p. 3
Death and Rebirth of a Vulcan Mind	p. 19
"Humans Smile with So Little Provocation"	p. 33
The Wrath of Nietzsche	p. 47
Mind Your Ps and Qs: Power, Pleasure, and the Q Continuum	p. 59
Go Boldly, Yet Morally: Federation Ethics	p. 69
"Killing Your Own Clone Is Still Murder": Genetics, Ethics, and Khaaaaan!	p. 71
The Enterprise of Military Ethics: Jean-Luc Picard as Starfleet's Conscience	p. 91
Is Odo a Collaborator?	p. 105
"The Rules of Acquisition Can't Help You Now": What Can the Ferengi Teach Us about Business Ethics?	p. 117
A United Federation: Social and Religious Values of the Future	p. 129
Inhuman Nature, or What's It Like to Be a Borg?	p. 131
Recognizing the Big Picture: Why We Want to Live in the Federation	p. 147
Why Not Live in the Holodeck?	p. 161
The Second-Coming of Kahless: Worf's "Will to Believe"	p. 173
Cardassian "Monsters" and Bajoran "Freedom Fighters"	p. 185
Multiple Enterprises: Metaphysical Conundrums from A to E	p. 201
Time-The Final Frontier	p. 203
"Your Big Chance to Get Away from It All": Life, Death, and Immortality	p. 217
Spock's Vulcan Mind Meld: A Primer for the Philosophy of Mind	p. 231
Harry Mudd Always Lies	p. 245
Crew of the Starship Enterprise NCC-17O1-?	p. 261
Chronicles from the Final Frontier	p. 267
Isolinear Data	p. 279
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.