Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Secrecy in Star Trek.   We often take for granted that philosophers and Starfleet officers mean what they say. But there is a rich history of esoteric writing in the history of philosophy, whether for pedagogical, protective, or political purposes. The same is often true within the Star Trek universe itself. All of Star Trek can interpreted as a form of esoteric expression on the part of its creator Gene Roddenberry as a way of expressing his own social and political messages while evading television censors of the late 1960s. And within the Star Trek universe, from starship captains and Federation diplomats to the esoteric practices of and ceremonies of various alien races and religions, certain practices, beliefs, and various forms of dangerous knowledge are kept secret from the average Federation citizen and Starfleet officer. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling lift the veil of secrecy to explore and reveal the many forms of gnosticism, esotericism, and secrecy in the Star Trek universe. Chapters Intro (00:01:19)  Initial Thoughts (00:02:59)  The Naivety of Enterprise and Knowledge in the Interstellar Community  (00:10:31)  Neoplatonist Gnostic Societies (00:14:10)  Janeway and the Omega Directive (00:18:02) Different Types of Esotericism (00:20:16) Simon Tarses, Julian Bashir and Defensive Esotericism (00:26:23) Challenging the Notion of the Star Trek Universe as a Utopian Ideal (0030:56) Captain Archer and Political Esotericism in A Night in Sickbay (00:37:44) Deep Space Nine and the Federation Agenda (00:44:08) Pedagogical Knowledge and The Traveler from TNG (00:48:31) Parables, The Gospels, and Theological Esoteric Knowledge (00:53:24) Geordi's Powerpoints and Pedagogical Clarity (00:58:36) Klingon Tea Ceremonies and Performative Expressions of Knowledge (01:04:04) Secret Societies and Secret Knowledge in the Star Trek Universe (01:05:47) Young Tuvok and Pedagogical Esotericism (01:12:29) Is the Q Continuum Q-soteric? (01:14:20) Mysticism and the Vulcans (01:19:08) Justified True Belief and Authentic Esotericism (01:23:35) Closing (01:28:54)   Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Secrecy in Star Trek.   We often take for granted that philosophers and Starfleet officers mean what they say. But there is a rich history of esoteric writing in the history of philosophy, whether for pedagogical, protective, or political purposes. The same is often true within the Star Trek universe itself. All of Star Trek can interpreted as a form of esoteric expression on the part of its creator Gene Roddenberry as a way of expressing his own social and political messages while evading television censors of the late 1960s. And within the Star Trek universe, from starship captains and Federation diplomats to the esoteric practices of and ceremonies of various alien races and religions, certain practices, beliefs, and various forms of dangerous knowledge are kept secret from the average Federation citizen and Starfleet officer. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling lift the veil of secrecy to explore and reveal the many forms of gnosticism, esotericism, and secrecy in the Star Trek universe. Chapters Intro (00:01:19)  Initial Thoughts (00:02:59)  The Naivety of Enterprise and Knowledge in the Interstellar Community  (00:10:31)  Neoplatonist Gnostic Societies (00:14:10)  Janeway and the Omega Directive (00:18:02) Different Types of Esotericism (00:20:16) Simon Tarses, Julian Bashir and Defensive Esotericism (00:26:23) Challenging the Notion of the Star Trek Universe as a Utopian Ideal (0030:56) Captain Archer and Political Esotericism in A Night in Sickbay (00:37:44) Deep Space Nine and the Federation Agenda (00:44:08) Pedagogical Knowledge and The Traveler from TNG (00:48:31) Parables, The Gospels, and Theological Esoteric Knowledge (00:53:24) Geordi's Powerpoints and Pedagogical Clarity (00:58:36) Klingon Tea Ceremonies and Performative Expressions of Knowledge (01:04:04) Secret Societies and Secret Knowledge in the Star Trek Universe (01:05:47) Young Tuvok and Pedagogical Esotericism (01:12:29) Is the Q Continuum Q-soteric? (01:14:20) Mysticism and the Vulcans (01:19:08) Justified True Belief and Authentic Esotericism (01:23:35) Closing (01:28:54)   Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

98: Geordi's Pedagogically Esoteric PowerPoint Presentations

Philosophical Themes in Star Trek: Picard, Season 1.  The recently completed first season of Star Trek: Picard deals with an impressive amount of philosophical material in a mere ten episodes. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophical themes and concepts within the premier season of Star Trek: Picard. From Rios's broody existentialism to the metaphysics of android neurons, join Zachary and Mike as they practice absolute candor in their discussion of Season 1 of Star Trek: Picard.   Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thoughts on Season One of Star Trek: Picard (00:03:15) Broody Existentialism and Broken Characters (00:08:50) Picard's Identity and Sartre's First Principle of Existentialism (00:16:08) Aristotelian Acorns and Human Potential (00:29:23) Stoicism and Order Out of Chaos (00:34:14) Starfleet Isn't Starfleet Anymore (00:43:43) Mortality and the Meaning of Life (00:46:30) The "New" Transporter Problem and Consciousness (00:54:26) Consequentialist Ethics and the Death of Bruce Maddox (01:03:15) Philosophy of Mind and Synthetic Picard (01:05:45) Philosophical Disappointments in Star Trek: Picard, Season One (01:11:17) Closing (01:25:12)  Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison  Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Philosophical Themes in Star Trek: Picard, Season 1.  The recently completed first season of Star Trek: Picard deals with an impressive amount of philosophical material in a mere ten episodes. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophical themes and concepts within the premier season of Star Trek: Picard. From Rios's broody existentialism to the metaphysics of android neurons, join Zachary and Mike as they practice absolute candor in their discussion of Season 1 of Star Trek: Picard.   Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thoughts on Season One of Star Trek: Picard (00:03:15) Broody Existentialism and Broken Characters (00:08:50) Picard's Identity and Sartre's First Principle of Existentialism (00:16:08) Aristotelian Acorns and Human Potential (00:29:23) Stoicism and Order Out of Chaos (00:34:14) Starfleet Isn't Starfleet Anymore (00:43:43) Mortality and the Meaning of Life (00:46:30) The "New" Transporter Problem and Consciousness (00:54:26) Consequentialist Ethics and the Death of Bruce Maddox (01:03:15) Philosophy of Mind and Synthetic Picard (01:05:45) Philosophical Disappointments in Star Trek: Picard, Season One (01:11:17) Closing (01:25:12)  Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison  Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

97: A Real Butterfly

Enterprise Season 1 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  Like the first season of any new television series, Season 1 of Enterprise struggled to find its footing, especially coming out of the the successful run of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager throughout the 1990s. And while Season 1 of Enterprise had important overarching themes, such as human technological progress, showing the Star Trek universe to be a possible future for us in the emerging 21st century, getting back to Star Trek's roots as a "wagon train to the stars," and building unity through diversity, Season 1 of Enterprise had several philosophically important episodes as well. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the philosophical themes and compare their choices for Essential Trek Philosophy from Season 1 of Star Trek: Enterprise.   Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thoughts about Enterprise Season One (00:04:07) Understanding the Larger Themes of Enterprise Season One (00:13:28) Star Trek Post September 11th (00:23:52) Terra Nova (00:27:02) Dear Doctor (00:34:44) The Andorian Incident (00:44:23) Shuttlepod One (00:53:41) Breaking the Ice (01:00:17) Detained (01:09:42) Honorable Mention: Fusion (01:14:03) Final Thoughts on the History of Philosophy and Enterprise (01:14:50) Recap of Essential Trek Philosophy (01:17:51) Closing (01:18:38)  Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

Enterprise Season 1 - Essential Trek Philosophy.  Like the first season of any new television series, Season 1 of Enterprise struggled to find its footing, especially coming out of the the successful run of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager throughout the 1990s. And while Season 1 of Enterprise had important overarching themes, such as human technological progress, showing the Star Trek universe to be a possible future for us in the emerging 21st century, getting back to Star Trek's roots as a "wagon train to the stars," and building unity through diversity, Season 1 of Enterprise had several philosophically important episodes as well. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the philosophical themes and compare their choices for Essential Trek Philosophy from Season 1 of Star Trek: Enterprise.   Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thoughts about Enterprise Season One (00:04:07) Understanding the Larger Themes of Enterprise Season One (00:13:28) Star Trek Post September 11th (00:23:52) Terra Nova (00:27:02) Dear Doctor (00:34:44) The Andorian Incident (00:44:23) Shuttlepod One (00:53:41) Breaking the Ice (01:00:17) Detained (01:09:42) Honorable Mention: Fusion (01:14:03) Final Thoughts on the History of Philosophy and Enterprise (01:14:50) Recap of Essential Trek Philosophy (01:17:51) Closing (01:18:38)  Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)

96: Andorian Cowboys

Death Wish. Nineteenth-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche held that Western philosophers from Socrates onward have had a gigantic death wish in the form of philosophical escapism and denial of our nature as finite, embodied beings with our own uniquely individual perspectives, drives, and desires. Philosophers in the Q Continuum likewise seem to have a death wish, especially Quinn, the Q Continuum's greatest philosopher. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophical and existential themes in the second-season Voyager episode "Death Wish." Although "Death Wish" is usually interpreted as a moral dilemma about assisted suicide—itself a hot moral topic since the 1990s—Zachary and Mike argue instead that "Death Wish" is a subtler but highly-developed example of Nietzschean philosophy of embodiment, perspectivism, and metaphorical self-expression.  Zachary and Mike also discuss the question of meaning as it relates to death, the finitude of human life, and the possibility of immortality—in the Q Continuum or in any form of the afterlife. Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thoughts on Voyager: "Death Wish" (00:03:32) Philosophical Overview and Examples of Nietzschean Philosophy (00:06:43) Quinn: Genius or Madman? (00:16:39) The Meaningfulness of Life (00:26:16) The Problem with Perfect Being Theology and the Death of God (00:42:04) Camus and The Myth of Sisyphus (00:43:18) Existentialism and the Subjectivity of Fulfillment in Life (00:48:31) Marcus Aurelius and the Question of Legacy (00:55:15) How the Q Continuum is Depicted in Death Wish (00:58:49) Comparing and Contrasting How Star Trek Depicts the Q Continuum (01:08:25) Is All of Star Trek Escapist? (01:11:38) A Few Final Questions About "Death Wish" (01:21:17) Closing (01:25:56)   Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mar Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Death Wish. Nineteenth-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche held that Western philosophers from Socrates onward have had a gigantic death wish in the form of philosophical escapism and denial of our nature as finite, embodied beings with our own uniquely individual perspectives, drives, and desires. Philosophers in the Q Continuum likewise seem to have a death wish, especially Quinn, the Q Continuum's greatest philosopher. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophical and existential themes in the second-season Voyager episode "Death Wish." Although "Death Wish" is usually interpreted as a moral dilemma about assisted suicide—itself a hot moral topic since the 1990s—Zachary and Mike argue instead that "Death Wish" is a subtler but highly-developed example of Nietzschean philosophy of embodiment, perspectivism, and metaphorical self-expression.  Zachary and Mike also discuss the question of meaning as it relates to death, the finitude of human life, and the possibility of immortality—in the Q Continuum or in any form of the afterlife. Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thoughts on Voyager: "Death Wish" (00:03:32) Philosophical Overview and Examples of Nietzschean Philosophy (00:06:43) Quinn: Genius or Madman? (00:16:39) The Meaningfulness of Life (00:26:16) The Problem with Perfect Being Theology and the Death of God (00:42:04) Camus and The Myth of Sisyphus (00:43:18) Existentialism and the Subjectivity of Fulfillment in Life (00:48:31) Marcus Aurelius and the Question of Legacy (00:55:15) How the Q Continuum is Depicted in Death Wish (00:58:49) Comparing and Contrasting How Star Trek Depicts the Q Continuum (01:08:25) Is All of Star Trek Escapist? (01:11:38) A Few Final Questions About "Death Wish" (01:21:17) Closing (01:25:56)   Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mar Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

95: Eternity is Passé

Utopianism in Star Trek.   The Star Trek universe is sometimes claimed to be a utopia. From technological progress to an enlightened view of human nature and equal opportunity, the vision of the future depicted in Star Trek is often touted by fans as the best possible future for humankind. An often-overlooked aspect of utopianism, however, is that "utopia" literally means "no place," calling into question the plausibility of such an optimistic future.  From intragalactic wars to power-hungry admirals to secret government organizations, the struggles of the 23rd and 24th centuries are all very familiar to us here in the 21st century, potentially undermining the very notion of human progress for which Star Trek is so famous. With the overall darker tone of Star Trek: Discovery and, to a lesser extent, Star Trek: Enterprise before that, it is reasonable to ask whether fans themselves, when pressed, really do still believe in the Star Trek vision of the future.  In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss utopianism in the Star Trek universe, whether Star Trek should really be considered a utopia after all, the dark sides of "perfect" societies, and the importance of having an idealistic vision of future human society—a modern-day take on a futuristic Plato's Republic—whether or not that ideal future is possible to achieve.    Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thoughts on Utopianism in the Star Trek Universe (00:01:55) DS9 and Criticisms of Federation Utopia (00:06:33) What Ways is the Society of the 24th Century Utopian? (00:12:50) The Role of Human Improvement in a Utopian Society (00:19:40) Non-Utopian Aspects of Society in Star Trek (00:21:48) Do Fans Believe in the Utopian Message of Star Trek? (00:33:50) Plato's Republic and the Perfect Society (00:42:23) Counter Culture Moving Humanity Forward (00:50:11) Kirk: Destroyer of Utopias vs. Picard: Preserver of Utopias (00:57:50) Final Thoughts (01:06:07) Closing (01:09:34)  Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Utopianism in Star Trek.   The Star Trek universe is sometimes claimed to be a utopia. From technological progress to an enlightened view of human nature and equal opportunity, the vision of the future depicted in Star Trek is often touted by fans as the best possible future for humankind. An often-overlooked aspect of utopianism, however, is that "utopia" literally means "no place," calling into question the plausibility of such an optimistic future.  From intragalactic wars to power-hungry admirals to secret government organizations, the struggles of the 23rd and 24th centuries are all very familiar to us here in the 21st century, potentially undermining the very notion of human progress for which Star Trek is so famous. With the overall darker tone of Star Trek: Discovery and, to a lesser extent, Star Trek: Enterprise before that, it is reasonable to ask whether fans themselves, when pressed, really do still believe in the Star Trek vision of the future.  In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss utopianism in the Star Trek universe, whether Star Trek should really be considered a utopia after all, the dark sides of "perfect" societies, and the importance of having an idealistic vision of future human society—a modern-day take on a futuristic Plato's Republic—whether or not that ideal future is possible to achieve.   Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thoughts on Utopianism in the Star Trek Universe (00:01:55) DS9 and Criticisms of Federation Utopia (00:06:33) What Ways is the Society of the 24th Century Utopian? (00:12:50) The Role of Human Improvement in a Utopian Society (00:19:40) Non-Utopian Aspects of Society in Star Trek (00:21:48) Do Fans Believe in the Utopian Message of Star Trek? (00:33:50) Plato's Republic and the Perfect Society (00:42:23) Counter Culture Moving Humanity Forward (00:50:11) Kirk: Destroyer of Utopias vs. Picard: Preserver of Utopias (00:57:50) Final Thoughts (01:06:07) Closing (01:09:34)  Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

94: Where Are the 24th-Century Space Hippies?

Alternate Universes and Modal Realism.  The Star Trek franchise is full of alternate universes, from different quantum realities (TNG: "Parallels") and the alternate reality seen in the Kelvin timeline (Star Trek, 2009) to the Mirror Universe seen in the Original Series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Discovery. In Star Trek, these alternate universes are just as real as the actual universe, a philosophical position known as "modal realism." In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison debate modal realism, the reality of alternate universes, through the lens of the Star Trek universe and whether we should consider alternate realities or "possible worlds" to be as metaphysically real as our own actual universe.    Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thought on Modal Realism (00:04:04) What Difference Does It Make? (00:08:45) David Lewis and Counterfactuals (00:12:36) Modal Concepts (00:17:43) The Distinction and Contrast of the Mirror Universe in Star Trek (00:20:46) Quantum Branching (00:29:50) Gottfried Leibniz and "Best of All Possible Worlds" (00:34:28) Is Modal Realism a Scientific Question or a Philosophical Question? (00:39:00) The Space Between the Spaces (00:43:26) Different Types of Possible Universes (00:45:20) Criticisms of Modal Realism (00:57:13) Diverging Universes (01:00:10) Closing (01:05:03)  Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison  Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Alternate Universes and Modal Realism.  The Star Trek franchise is full of alternate universes, from different quantum realities (TNG: "Parallels") and the alternate reality seen in the Kelvin timeline (Star Trek, 2009) to the Mirror Universe seen in the Original Series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Discovery. In Star Trek, these alternate universes are just as real as the actual universe, a philosophical position known as "modal realism." In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison debate modal realism, the reality of alternate universes, through the lens of the Star Trek universe and whether we should consider alternate realities or "possible worlds" to be as metaphysically real as our own actual universe.   Chapters Intro (00:01:19) Initial Thought on Modal Realism (00:04:04) What Difference Does It Make? (00:08:45) David Lewis and Counterfactuals (00:12:36) Modal Concepts (00:17:43) The Distinction and Contrast of the Mirror Universe in Star Trek (00:20:46) Quantum Branching (00:29:50) Gottfried Leibniz and "Best of All Possible Worlds" (00:34:28) Is Modal Realism a Scientific Question or a Philosophical Question? (00:39:00) The Space Between the Spaces (00:43:26) Different Types of Possible Universes (00:45:20) Criticisms of Modal Realism (00:57:13) Diverging Universes (01:00:10) Closing (01:05:03)  Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison  Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

93: In a Relevantly Similar Possible Universe, I Would Always Have Been Your Friend, Jim

Discovery Season 1 - Essential Trek Philosophy.   We in the 21st century do not live in an age of mythology as the ancient Greeks and Romans did, with epic heroes and narratives to provide context and meaning for our lives. Yet we hunger and thirst for meaning, as humans have done since the dawn of human history and consciousness. To its fans, Star Trek has become a form of modern mythology, with its own ethos, purposefulness, and meaningfulness, and with its own epic heroes—whether Captain Kirk in the Original Series or Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery—whose journeys, struggles, and overcoming of obstacles are reminiscent of the existential journeys of classical epic heroes, from Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey to Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the philosophical themes in season one of Star Trek: Discovery, from speculative and theoretical issues in contemporary physics and biology—emergence, panspermia, and panpsychism—to existential questions of self-identity and self-definition—including the rise, fall, and redemption of Michael Burnham, the Federation's struggle to maintain its ideals during wartime and in the face of imminent threats to its very existence, and the emerging unification and national identity of the Klingon Empire.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Initial Thoughts About Star Trek: Discovery - Season One (00:2:31)  Essential Trek Philosophy Essentials (00:17:19)  Context is for Kings (00:19:06)  The Vulcan Hello / Battle at the Binary Stars (00:27:07)  The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry / Choose Your Pain (00:37:50)  Lethe (00:42:43)  Will You Take My Hand? (00:50:54)  Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad (00:59:03)  Final Thoughts (01:04:58)  Recap (01:12:48)  Closing (01:13:55)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Discovery Season 1 - Essential Trek Philosophy.   We in the 21st century do not live in an age of mythology as the ancient Greeks and Romans did, with epic heroes and narratives to provide context and meaning for our lives. Yet we hunger and thirst for meaning, as humans have done since the dawn of human history and consciousness. To its fans, Star Trek has become a form of modern mythology, with its own ethos, purposefulness, and meaningfulness, and with its own epic heroes—whether Captain Kirk in the Original Series or Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery—whose journeys, struggles, and overcoming of obstacles are reminiscent of the existential journeys of classical epic heroes, from Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey to Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the philosophical themes in season one of Star Trek: Discovery, from speculative and theoretical issues in contemporary physics and biology—emergence, panspermia, and panpsychism—to existential questions of self-identity and self-definition—including the rise, fall, and redemption of Michael Burnham, the Federation's struggle to maintain its ideals during wartime and in the face of imminent threats to its very existence, and the emerging unification and national identity of the Klingon Empire.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Initial Thoughts About Star Trek: Discovery - Season One (00:2:31)  Essential Trek Philosophy Essentials (00:17:19)  Context is for Kings (00:19:06)  The Vulcan Hello / Battle at the Binary Stars (00:27:07)  The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry / Choose Your Pain (00:37:50)  Lethe (00:42:43)  Will You Take My Hand? (00:50:54)  Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad (00:59:03)  Final Thoughts (01:04:58)  Recap (01:12:48)  Closing (01:13:55)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

92: Prepaid Long-Distance Mind Meld

Equality and Equal Rights.   Equality in the United Federation of Planets is often taken for granted, that alien life forms are entitled to the same rights, privileges, and opportunities as humans. But to which beings does this equality extend? Humanoids? Only sentient life forms? Intelligent androids? Whales? Nanites? And equality in what sense? Political equality? Moral equality? Equality under the law? Equality of opportunity?   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophy of equality in the Star Trek universe, from issues of accessibility for disabled Starfleet officers such as Commander LaForge (TNG) and Ensign Melora (DS9: "Melora"), to the rights of non-humanoid life forms, whether intelligent whales here on Earth (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home) or non-human aliens such as the Horta (TOS: "The Devil in the Dark") and the Sheliak (TNG: "The Ensigns of Command").    Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Equality - Making a Distinction (00:03:16)  Political Equality Over Time in Star Trek (00:04:49)  Moral Equality in the Federation (00:11:22)  Moral Equality and Future Potential (00:20:25)  Equality Under the Law, Equal Rights, and the Ethics of Care (00:28:07)  Equality and Exploitation (00:33:48)  Deep Space Nine and Equal Opportunity (00:36:34)  Starfleet and the Federation: Is the Captains Life More Valuable? (00:46:42)  Our Attitude Toward Other Cultures in the 24th Century (00:55:34)  Closing (00:58:52)   Hosts  Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Equality and Equal Rights.   Equality in the United Federation of Planets is often taken for granted, that alien life forms are entitled to the same rights, privileges, and opportunities as humans. But to which beings does this equality extend? Humanoids? Only sentient life forms? Intelligent androids? Whales? Nanites? And equality in what sense? Political equality? Moral equality? Equality under the law? Equality of opportunity?   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophy of equality in the Star Trek universe, from issues of accessibility for disabled Starfleet officers such as Commander LaForge (TNG) and Ensign Melora (DS9: "Melora"), to the rights of non-humanoid life forms, whether intelligent whales here on Earth (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home) or non-human aliens such as the Horta (TOS: "The Devil in the Dark") and the Sheliak (TNG: "The Ensigns of Command").   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Equality - Making a Distinction (00:03:16)  Political Equality Over Time in Star Trek (00:04:49)  Moral Equality in the Federation (00:11:22)  Moral Equality and Future Potential (00:20:25)  Equality Under the Law, Equal Rights, and the Ethics of Care (00:28:07)  Equality and Exploitation (00:33:48)  Deep Space Nine and Equal Opportunity (00:36:34)  Starfleet and the Federation: Is the Captains Life More Valuable? (00:46:42)  Our Attitude Toward Other Cultures in the 24th Century (00:55:34)  Closing (00:58:52)   Hosts  Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

91: Get That Whale Some Gumbo

The Q Continuum.   From the The Original Series onward, Star Trek has had a preoccupation with false gods, culminating in the introduction of Q and the Q Continuum in Star Trek: The Next Generation. But although members of the Q Continuum have many of the properties usually ascribed to deities—such as omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and so on—do they posses these qualities to sufficient degree to be considered genuine deities of the Star Trek universe?    In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling give a philosophical analysis of the Q Continuum and the deity-like attributes of the Q. From paradoxes of omnipotence, such as the Q being powerful enough to create a prison another Q cannot break out of, to the many things the Q don't seem to know despite their supposed omniscience, Mike and Zachary debate, and perhaps debunk, the status of the Q as deities.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Should We Consider the Q to be Deities? (00:02:42)  Q and the Q Continuum (00:07:34)  The Tension Between Transcendence and Immanence (00:14:44)  Contrasting The Q Continuum with the DS9 Prophets (00:20:08)  Are the Q Omnipresent? (00:23:18)  Are the Q Omnipotent? (00:27:32)  Are the Q Omniscient? (00:35:00)  Attributes Not Found Among The Q (00:43:34)  Should The Q Have a Moral Obligation? (00:47:48)  Star Trek and False Gods (00:53:23)  The Visualizations of the Q Continuum (01:03:54)  Closing (01:11:07)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Q Continuum.   From the The Original Series onward, Star Trek has had a preoccupation with false gods, culminating in the introduction of Q and the Q Continuum in Star Trek: The Next Generation. But although members of the Q Continuum have many of the properties usually ascribed to deities—such as omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and so on—do they posses these qualities to sufficient degree to be considered genuine deities of the Star Trek universe?   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling give a philosophical analysis of the Q Continuum and the deity-like attributes of the Q. From paradoxes of omnipotence, such as the Q being powerful enough to create a prison another Q cannot break out of, to the many things the Q don't seem to know despite their supposed omniscience, Mike and Zachary debate, and perhaps debunk, the status of the Q as deities.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Should We Consider the Q to be Deities? (00:02:42)  Q and the Q Continuum (00:07:34)  The Tension Between Transcendence and Immanence (00:14:44)  Contrasting The Q Continuum with the DS9 Prophets (00:20:08)  Are the Q Omnipresent? (00:23:18)  Are the Q Omnipotent? (00:27:32)  Are the Q Omniscient? (00:35:00)  Attributes Not Found Among The Q (00:43:34)  Should The Q Have a Moral Obligation? (00:47:48)  Star Trek and False Gods (00:53:23)  The Visualizations of the Q Continuum (01:03:54)  Closing (01:11:07)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

90: ODD (Omniscience Deficit Disorder)

Philosophical Themes in "The Cage."   In the opening scenes of "The Cage," the unaired pilot episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, Captain Christopher Pike is having an existential crisis, feeling the weight of his responsibility as a starship captain, being responsible for the lives of the people under his command, and longing for a different kind of life (being home on Earth with a picnic lunch and horseback riding every day, or perhaps becoming an Orion trader). When Captain Pike is imprisoned by the Talosians and given the chance to have his every wish granted as an illusion, Captain Pike is forced to grapple with what he really wants in life and with the true nature of human happiness.    In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophical themes in "The Cage," from the existential angst of free will, making choices, and the burdens of responsibility, to the importance of human freedom and free will, risks and rewards, and of looking to the future and setting a course for the next adventure.    Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Criticisms and Observations of The Cage (00:03:34)  Alien Commentary (00:08:23)  Zoo: Humans as a Lower Life form (00:14:04)  Existential Tiredness (00:17:40)  A Galaxy of Illusions to Choose From (00:30:18)  The Pleasure Machine (00:35:43)  The Worth of a Man's Soul (00:38:37)  The New Adam and Eve (00:45:11)  A Faustian Deal with the Devil (00:50:41)  Free Will and the Human Condition (00:55:16)  Aftermath of Talosian War (01:00:37)  Final Thoughts About The Cage (01:07:06)  Closing (01:14:09)   Hosts  Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morison   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Philosophical Themes in "The Cage."   In the opening scenes of "The Cage," the unaired pilot episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, Captain Christopher Pike is having an existential crisis, feeling the weight of his responsibility as a starship captain, being responsible for the lives of the people under his command, and longing for a different kind of life (being home on Earth with a picnic lunch and horseback riding every day, or perhaps becoming an Orion trader). When Captain Pike is imprisoned by the Talosians and given the chance to have his every wish granted as an illusion, Captain Pike is forced to grapple with what he really wants in life and with the true nature of human happiness.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophical themes in "The Cage," from the existential angst of free will, making choices, and the burdens of responsibility, to the importance of human freedom and free will, risks and rewards, and of looking to the future and setting a course for the next adventure.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Criticisms and Observations of The Cage (00:03:34)  Alien Commentary (00:08:23)  Zoo: Humans as a Lower Life form (00:14:04)  Existential Tiredness (00:17:40)  A Galaxy of Illusions to Choose From (00:30:18)  The Pleasure Machine (00:35:43)  The Worth of a Man's Soul (00:38:37)  The New Adam and Eve (00:45:11)  A Faustian Deal with the Devil (00:50:41)  Free Will and the Human Condition (00:55:16)  Aftermath of Talosian War (01:00:37)  Final Thoughts About The Cage (01:07:06)  Closing (01:14:09)   Hosts  Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morison   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

89: Faustian Horseback Ride

Meta Treks is a Trek.fm podcast dedicated to a deep examination of the philosophical ideas found in Star Trek. In each episode, Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison take you on a fascinating journey into the inner workings of Star Trek storytelling, deeper into subspace than you've ever traveled before.

Very interesting!!! I really like the discussion. Wondering if you could do a Hegel episode

Really good

Great show

Meta Treks is a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> podcast dedicated to a deep examination of the philosophical ideas found in Star Trek. In each episode, Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison take you on a fascinating journey into the inner workings of Star Trek storytelling, deeper into subspace than you've ever traveled before.

Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast

Alternate Realities vs. Alternate Timelines.In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek PhilosophyPodcast, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling have afollowup discussion on the distinction between an "alternatereality" and an "alternate timeline" in response to a challenge byNorman Lao and Jeffrey Harlan on their recent episode ofStandard Orbit (Standard Orbit 115: "Wibby Wobbly PrimeyWimey"). Mike and Zachary provide a philosophical analysis of differentsenses of the terms "alternate reality" and "alternate timeline,"while also exploring and contrasting key examples of these sensesin Star Trek. Examples covered in this episode of MetaTreks include the prime timeline vs. the Abramsverse timeline,the episodes "Yesterday's Enterprise" and "Parallels" from StarTrek: The Next Generation, and the Mirror Universe as seen inThe Original Series, Deep Space Nine, andEnterprise.Here is the link to the related episode, Standard Orbit 115("Wibbly Wobbly Primey Wimey"): http://trek.fm/standard-orbit/115ChaptersWelcome to Episode 16 (00:01:07)Related Episodes of Meta Treks (00:05:18)Bryan Fuller and Star Trek 2017 (00:07:54)Initial Thoughts - Alternate Reality vs. Alternate Timeline(00:10:33)Two Senses of "Alternate Reality" (00:12:25)Personal Identity and Alternate Realities (00:19:01)Universe or Multiverse? (00:25:27)Yesterday's Enterprise (00:26:57)Two Senses of "Alternate Timeline" (00:28:36) Contrasting "Yesterday's Enterprise" with Star Trek 2009(00:32:34)Reconciling "Alternate Reality" and "Alternate "Timeline" - AHybrid Approach (00:34:52)Four-Dimensionalism and Alternate Timelines (00:38:53)Does a Common Origin Point Settle the Issue? (00:43:45)The Origin of the Mirror Universe (00:47:46)How to Analyze Examples in Star Trek - What Questions to Ask(00:51:33)Final Thoughts (00:57:40)HostsMike Morrison and Zachary FruhlingProductionDennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C.Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (ExecutiveProducer) Matthew Rushing (ExecutiveProducer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) WillNguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)Send us your feedback!Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfmSupport the Network!Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trektalk coming every week. We have great perks for youat http://patreon.com/trekfm

Alternate Realities vs. Alternate Timelines. In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling have a followup discussion on the distinction between an "alternate reality" and an "alternate timeline" in response to a challenge by Norman Lao and Jeffrey Harlan on their recent episode of Standard Orbit (Standard Orbit 115: "Wibby Wobbly Primey Wimey").  Mike and Zachary provide a philosophical analysis of different senses of the terms "alternate reality" and "alternate timeline," while also exploring and contrasting key examples of these senses in Star Trek. Examples covered in this episode of Meta Treks include the prime timeline vs. the Abramsverse timeline, the episodes "Yesterday's Enterprise" and "Parallels" from Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the Mirror Universe as seen in The Original Series, Deep Space Nine, and Enterprise. Here is the link to the related episode, Standard Orbit 115 ("Wibbly Wobbly Primey Wimey"): <a href="http://trek.fm/standard-orbit/115" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://trek.fm/standard-orbit/115</a> Chapters Welcome to Episode 16 (00:01:07) Related Episodes of Meta Treks (00:05:18) Bryan Fuller and Star Trek 2017 (00:07:54) Initial Thoughts - Alternate Reality vs. Alternate Timeline (00:10:33) Two Senses of "Alternate Reality" (00:12:25) Personal Identity and Alternate Realities (00:19:01) Universe or Multiverse? (00:25:27) Yesterday's Enterprise (00:26:57) Two Senses of "Alternate Timeline" (00:28:36)  Contrasting "Yesterday's Enterprise" with Star Trek 2009 (00:32:34) Reconciling "Alternate Reality" and "Alternate "Timeline" - A Hybrid Approach (00:34:52) Four-Dimensionalism and Alternate Timelines (00:38:53) Does a Common Origin Point Settle the Issue? (00:43:45) The Origin of the Mirror Universe (00:47:46) How to Analyze Examples in Star Trek - What Questions to Ask (00:51:33) Final Thoughts (00:57:40) Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling Production Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm </a> Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm </a> Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact </a> Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/</a> Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a> Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

16: All the Bubbles

Kierkegaard and Stages on Life's Way.   This time, we're talking "Soren," but not Dr. Tolian Soren from Star Trek Generations; we're talking about the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard! Søren Kierkegaard is well-known for his "Stages on Life's Way," or three different approaches to life: the aesthetic approach (novelty, adventure, and experiences); the ethical approach (rules, duty, and responsibility), and the religious approach (sincere commitment, meaningful dedication, and authentic leaps of faith). In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss characters from the Star Trek universe that exemplify these three different modes of living.    Chapters  Welcome to Episode 67 (00:01:07)  Søren Kierkegaard and Dr. Soren from Generations (00:03:16)  Programming an Authentic Life (00:14:24)  Kierkegaard's Stages of Life's Way (00:22:15)  The Aesthetic Stage or The Commander Riker Stage (00:31:30)  The Ethical Stage or The Lieutenant Worf Stage (00:49:50)  The Religious Stage or The Chief O'Brien Stage (01:07:39)  Final Thoughts (01:24:51)    Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison    Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)    Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm  Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm  Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact  Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/  Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm    Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Kierkegaard and Stages on Life's Way.   This time, we're talking "Soren," but not Dr. Tolian Soren from Star Trek Generations; we're talking about the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard! Søren Kierkegaard is well-known for his "Stages on Life's Way," or three different approaches to life: the aesthetic approach (novelty, adventure, and experiences); the ethical approach (rules, duty, and responsibility), and the religious approach (sincere commitment, meaningful dedication, and authentic leaps of faith). In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss characters from the Star Trek universe that exemplify these three different modes of living.   Chapters  Welcome to Episode 67 (00:01:07)  Søren Kierkegaard and Dr. Soren from Generations (00:03:16)  Programming an Authentic Life (00:14:24)  Kierkegaard's Stages of Life's Way (00:22:15)  The Aesthetic Stage or The Commander Riker Stage (00:31:30)  The Ethical Stage or The Lieutenant Worf Stage (00:49:50)  The Religious Stage or The Chief O'Brien Stage (01:07:39)  Final Thoughts (01:24:51)   Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)   Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm</a>  Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm</a>  Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact</a>  Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/</a>  Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a>   Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

67: From Riker to Worf to O'Brien

Philosopher StarshipCrews. Zachary and Mike compare noteson their ideal philosopher starship crews. Find out whichphilosophers from the history of philosophy that Zachary and Mikewould choose to fill the various roles in a typical starship crew:conn officer, communications officer, operations officer, scienceofficer, tactical officer, chief of security, chief engineer, firstofficer, and captain. Zachary and Mike also consider some honorablementions for the roles of ship's counselor, transporter chief,bartender or chef, the ever-present admiral or "badmiral," diplomator ambassador, and holodeck technician. Philosophers covered in thisepisode of Meta Treks include (in alphabetical order) Aristotle,George Berkeley, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, David Brewster, JacquesDerrida, Albert Einstein, Epicurus, Michel Foucault, Gottlob Frege,Sigmund Freud, Galileo Galilei, Martin Heidegger, Hippocrates,Thomas Hobbes, David Hume, William James, Immanuel Kant, C. S.Lewis, Karl Popper, John Rawls, Gene Roddenberry, ArthurSchopenhauer, Socrates, Sun Tzu, Dallas Willard, and LudwigWittgenstein. ChaptersWelcome (00:01:07)Introducing the Topic(00:03:09)Helm Officer (00:09:53)Communications Officer(00:13:18)Ops Officer (00:17:05)Science Officer(00:19:41)Tactical Officer(00:27:45)Chief of Security(00:32:32)Chief Engineer(00:38:36)Chief Medical Officer(00:44:52)First Officer(00:51:10)Captain (01:00:04)Honorable Mentions(01:06:33)Final Thoughts(01:18:04) HostsZachary Fruhling and MikeMorrison ProductionDennis Castello (Editor andProducer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones(Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) CharlynnSchmiedt (Executive Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) RichardMarquez (Production Manager) Send us yourfeedback!Twitter: @trekfmFacebook: http://facebook.com/trekfmVoicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfmContact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contactSubscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support theNetwork!Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreonand help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have greatperks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Philosopher Starship Crews.   Zachary and Mike compare notes on their ideal philosopher starship crews. Find out which philosophers from the history of philosophy that Zachary and Mike would choose to fill the various roles in a typical starship crew: conn officer, communications officer, operations officer, science officer, tactical officer, chief of security, chief engineer, first officer, and captain. Zachary and Mike also consider some honorable mentions for the roles of ship's counselor, transporter chief, bartender or chef, the ever-present admiral or "badmiral," diplomat or ambassador, and holodeck technician.   Philosophers covered in this episode of Meta Treks include (in alphabetical order) Aristotle, George Berkeley, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, David Brewster, Jacques Derrida, Albert Einstein, Epicurus, Michel Foucault, Gottlob Frege, Sigmund Freud, Galileo Galilei, Martin Heidegger, Hippocrates, Thomas Hobbes, David Hume, William James, Immanuel Kant, C. S. Lewis, Karl Popper, John Rawls, Gene Roddenberry, Arthur Schopenhauer, Socrates, Sun Tzu, Dallas Willard, and Ludwig Wittgenstein.   Chapters Welcome (00:01:07) Introducing the Topic (00:03:09) Helm Officer (00:09:53) Communications Officer (00:13:18) Ops Officer (00:17:05) Science Officer (00:19:41) Tactical Officer (00:27:45) Chief of Security (00:32:32) Chief Engineer (00:38:36) Chief Medical Officer (00:44:52) First Officer (00:51:10) Captain (01:00:04) Honorable Mentions (01:06:33) Final Thoughts (01:18:04)   Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)   Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm</a> Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm</a> Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact</a> Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a>   Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

3: I Don't Want a Thinker at the Helm

Future Human Cultural Evolution with Patrick Devlin.    In the Star Trek universe, the cultural progression of alien races is remarkably deterministic, as cultures proceed from their own versions of the stone age, to the bronze age, to the industrial age, and culminating in warp-capable civilizations that are fully fledged members of the galactic community.    But what reasons do we have for thinking that our own diverse human cultures will progress along the path laid out for us in the Star Trek universe? What are the different possible trajectories of future human cultural evolution? And what are the different causal factors that produce cultural change over time (societal, political, technological, or otherwise)?    In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison are joined by Meta Treks associate producer Patrick Devlin to discuss future human cultural evolution, both inside the Star Trek universe and in our own world today.    Chapters  Intro (00:02:12)  Welcome to Patrick Devlin and Initial Thoughts (00:01:20)  Is Cultural Evolution Predictable? (00:02:06)  Ebbs and Flows (00:10:39)  Possible Trajectories (00:14:13)  Mechanisms for Cultural Change (00:25:20)  "Blink of an Eye" and Cultural Progress (00:28:56)  Thought Bubbles (00:36:52)  Death is the Best Invention of Life (00:39:18)  Vulcans and the Struggles of Reason (00:40:22)  The Ba'ku and Post-Warp Society (00:47:22)  From Consumers to Makers (00:50:52)  External Change vs. Internal Change (01:03:31)  Final Thoughts (01:10:56)  Closing (01:22:39)    Hosts  Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison    Guest  Patrick Devlin    Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Future Human Cultural Evolution with Patrick Devlin.   In the Star Trek universe, the cultural progression of alien races is remarkably deterministic, as cultures proceed from their own versions of the stone age, to the bronze age, to the industrial age, and culminating in warp-capable civilizations that are fully fledged members of the galactic community.   But what reasons do we have for thinking that our own diverse human cultures will progress along the path laid out for us in the Star Trek universe? What are the different possible trajectories of future human cultural evolution? And what are the different causal factors that produce cultural change over time (societal, political, technological, or otherwise)?   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison are joined by Meta Treks associate producer Patrick Devlin to discuss future human cultural evolution, both inside the Star Trek universe and in our own world today.   Chapters  Intro (00:02:12)  Welcome to Patrick Devlin and Initial Thoughts (00:01:20)  Is Cultural Evolution Predictable? (00:02:06)  Ebbs and Flows (00:10:39)  Possible Trajectories (00:14:13)  Mechanisms for Cultural Change (00:25:20)  "Blink of an Eye" and Cultural Progress (00:28:56)  Thought Bubbles (00:36:52)  Death is the Best Invention of Life (00:39:18)  Vulcans and the Struggles of Reason (00:40:22)  The Ba'ku and Post-Warp Society (00:47:22)  From Consumers to Makers (00:50:52)  External Change vs. Internal Change (01:03:31)  Final Thoughts (01:10:56)  Closing (01:22:39)   Hosts  Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Guest  Patrick Devlin   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

71: Borg Butterfly Effect

Voyager Season 6 - Essential Trek Philosophy.    In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling are joined by Kay Shaw (associated producer of Meta Treks and co-host of Trek.fm's dedicated Voyager podcast, To The Journey) to discuss their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 6 of Star Trek: Voyager. From questions of personal identity in the death and resurrection of Lyndsay Ballard in "Ashes to Ashes" to the trouble with conspiracy-theory reasoning in "The Voyager Conspiracy," Mike, Zachary, and Kay cover the philosophical themes and highlights of one of Voyager's strongest seasons.    Chapters  Welcome to Episode 56 (00:01:09)  Initial Thoughts on Voyager Season 6 (00:04:55)  Memorial (00:07:28)  Dragon's Teeth (00:23:14)  Blink of an Eye (00:32:14)  Ashes to Ashes (00:44:40)  The Voyager Conspiracy (00:54:06)  Child's Play (00:58:36)  Survival Instinct (01:04:47)  Honorable Mentions (01:13:11)  Recap and Final Thoughts (01:27:07)    Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling    Guest  Kay Shaw    Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Norman Lao (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)    Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm  Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm  Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact  Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/  Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm    Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Voyager Season 6 - Essential Trek Philosophy.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling are joined by Kay Shaw (associated producer of Meta Treks and co-host of <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a>'s dedicated Voyager podcast, To The Journey) to discuss their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 6 of Star Trek: Voyager. From questions of personal identity in the death and resurrection of Lyndsay Ballard in "Ashes to Ashes" to the trouble with conspiracy-theory reasoning in "The Voyager Conspiracy," Mike, Zachary, and Kay cover the philosophical themes and highlights of one of Voyager's strongest seasons.   Chapters  Welcome to Episode 56 (00:01:09)  Initial Thoughts on Voyager Season 6 (00:04:55)  Memorial (00:07:28)  Dragon's Teeth (00:23:14)  Blink of an Eye (00:32:14)  Ashes to Ashes (00:44:40)  The Voyager Conspiracy (00:54:06)  Child's Play (00:58:36)  Survival Instinct (01:04:47)  Honorable Mentions (01:13:11)  Recap and Final Thoughts (01:27:07)   Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Guest  Kay Shaw   Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Norman Lao (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)   Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm</a>  Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm</a>  Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact</a>  Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/</a>  Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a>   Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

56: Recycle, Reclaim, Reuse

Cloaking Devices and the Ring of Gyges.    Invisibility has a long tradition both in fiction and in philosophy, from The Ring of Gyges in Plato's Republic to The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells, from the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien to the Klingon and Romulan cloaking devices seen throughout the Star Trek universe. In this episode of Meta Treks hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the ethics of invisibility. Do these fictional invisibility devices reveal the true darkness of our inner nature, or is the power of invisibility a seductive and corrupting force that leads to a spiral of moral decay? Is it possible, through the cultivation of moral virtues, habits, and training, to shield oneself against the influence of the temptations of anonymity? And speaking of invisibility rings and cloaking devices, Mike and Zachary ask the deepest question of all: what exactly would Captains Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, and Archer do with unfettered access to a personal cloaking device or an invisibility ring?    Chapters  Welcome to Episode 62 (00:01:07)  The Ring of Gyges and the Ethics of Invisibility (00:03:32)  Romulan and Klingon Cloaking Devices (00:11:38)  Star Trek VI - It Has to Have a Tailpipe (00:13:56)  Klingon Honor - Don't Fire While Cloaked (00:15:59)  Romulans - Thieves in the Night (00:19:12)  Federation Cloaking Devices in TNG and DS9 (00:21:16)  WWCD - What Would the Captains Do? (00:29:06)  Does Invisibility Corrupt or Reveal Human Nature? (00:35:30)  The Sonic Shower Stipulation (00:44:31)  Just One Little Step - The Nature/Nurture Debate (00:50:12)  Cultivating Moral Habits - Defeating Temptation (00:55:10)  "The Pegasus" and "Equinox" - A Slippery Slope (01:03:49)  Lightness, Darkness, and Privacy (01:09:28)  Closing (01:18:02)    Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling    Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)    Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm  Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm  Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact  Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/  Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm    Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Cloaking Devices and the Ring of Gyges.   Invisibility has a long tradition both in fiction and in philosophy, from The Ring of Gyges in Plato's Republic to The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells, from the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien to the Klingon and Romulan cloaking devices seen throughout the Star Trek universe. In this episode of Meta Treks hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the ethics of invisibility. Do these fictional invisibility devices reveal the true darkness of our inner nature, or is the power of invisibility a seductive and corrupting force that leads to a spiral of moral decay? Is it possible, through the cultivation of moral virtues, habits, and training, to shield oneself against the influence of the temptations of anonymity? And speaking of invisibility rings and cloaking devices, Mike and Zachary ask the deepest question of all: what exactly would Captains Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, and Archer do with unfettered access to a personal cloaking device or an invisibility ring?   Chapters  Welcome to Episode 62 (00:01:07)  The Ring of Gyges and the Ethics of Invisibility (00:03:32)  Romulan and Klingon Cloaking Devices (00:11:38)  Star Trek VI - It Has to Have a Tailpipe (00:13:56)  Klingon Honor - Don't Fire While Cloaked (00:15:59)  Romulans - Thieves in the Night (00:19:12)  Federation Cloaking Devices in TNG and DS9 (00:21:16)  WWCD - What Would the Captains Do? (00:29:06)  Does Invisibility Corrupt or Reveal Human Nature? (00:35:30)  The Sonic Shower Stipulation (00:44:31)  Just One Little Step - The Nature/Nurture Debate (00:50:12)  Cultivating Moral Habits - Defeating Temptation (00:55:10)  "The Pegasus" and "Equinox" - A Slippery Slope (01:03:49)  Lightness, Darkness, and Privacy (01:09:28)  Closing (01:18:02)   Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Kit Loffstadt (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)   Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm</a>  Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm</a>  Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact</a>  Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/</a>  Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a>   Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

62: Tricorder of Gyges

The Meaning of Life. Perhaps the most fundamental philosophical question, the mostimportant question of the human condition, is the question, "Whatis the meaning of life?" In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts MikeMorrison and Zachary Fruhling explore competing philosophicaltheories about the meaning of life within the Star Trek universe.Topics covered include the distinction between universal meaningand subjective meaning, meaning as progress and the Federation'sprogress narrative, colonialism and criticism of the progressnarrative, nihilism and the lack of meaning, existentialism andself-chosen individual or cultural meaning, theism and religiousmeaning, finding meaning in a galactic cultural melting pot, andnew questions of meaning in the 21st century that the upcoming StarTrek 2017 series might consider. ChaptersWelcome to Episode 12 (00:01:15)Introducing the Topic (00:03:18)Two Approaches: Capital-M "Meaning" vs. lowercase-m "meaning"(00:05:53)Metanarratives and Peace (00:09:09)A Crisis of Meaning in Star Trek? (00:13:58)The Star Trek Answer: Meaning as Progress (00:17:32)Star Trek Beyond: Colonialism and Criticism of the ProgressNarrative (00:23:21)Nihilism, Meaninglessness, and Suicide (00:34:06)Existentialism and Self-Chosen Meaning (00:42:34)Theism and Religious Meaning (00:47:40)Meaning in a Cultural Melting Pot (00:53:27)Meaning in the 21st Century and Star Trek 2017 (00:57:02)Final Thoughts (01:00:32)HostsMike Morrison and Zachary FruhlingProductionDennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C.Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (ExecutiveProducer) Matthew Rushing (ExecutiveProducer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) WillNguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)Send us your feedback!Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfmSupport the Network!Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trektalk coming every week. We have great perks for youat http://patreon.com/trekfm

The Meaning of Life.  Perhaps the most fundamental philosophical question, the most important question of the human condition, is the question, "What is the meaning of life?" In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling explore competing philosophical theories about the meaning of life within the Star Trek universe. Topics covered include the distinction between universal meaning and subjective meaning, meaning as progress and the Federation's progress narrative, colonialism and criticism of the progress narrative, nihilism and the lack of meaning, existentialism and self-chosen individual or cultural meaning, theism and religious meaning, finding meaning in a galactic cultural melting pot, and new questions of meaning in the 21st century that the upcoming Star Trek 2017 series might consider.  Chapters Welcome to Episode 12 (00:01:15) Introducing the Topic (00:03:18) Two Approaches: Capital-M "Meaning" vs. lowercase-m "meaning" (00:05:53) Metanarratives and Peace (00:09:09) A Crisis of Meaning in Star Trek? (00:13:58) The Star Trek Answer: Meaning as Progress (00:17:32) Star Trek Beyond: Colonialism and Criticism of the Progress Narrative (00:23:21) Nihilism, Meaninglessness, and Suicide (00:34:06) Existentialism and Self-Chosen Meaning (00:42:34) Theism and Religious Meaning (00:47:40) Meaning in a Cultural Melting Pot (00:53:27) Meaning in the 21st Century and Star Trek 2017 (00:57:02) Final Thoughts (01:00:32) Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling Production Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm </a> Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm </a> Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact </a> Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/</a> Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a> Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

12: Just a Simple Question

The Problem of Identity.In this episode of Meta Treks, part one of a two-partdiscussion on the problem of identity in Star Trek, hosts MikeMorrison and Zachary Fruhling consider the metaphysical problem ofidentity over time as it applies to inanimate objects. As objectsundergo changes over time, do they remain the same objects or dothey become different objects? Mike and Zachary reinterpret theclassic philosophical example of the Ship of Theseus, in whichcomponents of a ship are replaced one at a time, in Star Trek termsas the "Starship of Theseus," asking whether the Enterprise remainsthe same ship following repairs or a refit.Mike and Zachary introduce the problem of identity with an overviewof Leibniz's Law and the numerical identity of indiscernibleobjects, followed by a discussion of different possible responsesto the problem of identity over time: the continuity-of-changeresponse, four-dimensionalism and time slices, and Aristotle's fourtypes of causes (material cause, formal cause, efficient cause, andfinal cause).ChaptersWelcome to Meta Treks 4 (00:01:07)Introduction to the Topic (00:02:10)The Ship of Theseus (00:10:18)The Starship of Theseus (00:13:35)Resolving the Identity Problem (00:29:17)Continuity of Changes (00:29:51)Four Dimensionalism (00:37:18)Aristotle's Answers (00:46:37)Final Thoughts (01:00:43) Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling ProductionDennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C.Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (ExecutiveProducer) Matthew Rushing (ExecutiveProducer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) WillNguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)Send us your feedback!Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfmSupport the Network!Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trektalk coming every week. We have great perks for youat http://patreon.com/trekfm

The Problem of Identity. In this episode of Meta Treks, part one of a two-part discussion on the problem of identity in Star Trek, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling consider the metaphysical problem of identity over time as it applies to inanimate objects. As objects undergo changes over time, do they remain the same objects or do they become different objects? Mike and Zachary reinterpret the classic philosophical example of the Ship of Theseus, in which components of a ship are replaced one at a time, in Star Trek terms as the "Starship of Theseus," asking whether the Enterprise remains the same ship following repairs or a refit. Mike and Zachary introduce the problem of identity with an overview of Leibniz's Law and the numerical identity of indiscernible objects, followed by a discussion of different possible responses to the problem of identity over time: the continuity-of-change response, four-dimensionalism and time slices, and Aristotle's four types of causes (material cause, formal cause, efficient cause, and final cause). Chapters Welcome to Meta Treks 4 (00:01:07) Introduction to the Topic (00:02:10) The Ship of Theseus (00:10:18) The Starship of Theseus (00:13:35) Resolving the Identity Problem (00:29:17) Continuity of Changes (00:29:51) Four Dimensionalism (00:37:18) Aristotle's Answers (00:46:37) Final Thoughts (01:00:43) Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  Production Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm </a> Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm </a> Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact </a> Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a> Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

4: Starship of Theseus

Consequentialism vs. Deontological Ethics. In the Deep Space Nine episode "In the Pale Moonlight," wasCaptain Sisko justified in using less-then-honorable means to bringthe Romulans into the war with the Dominion in order to end the warand save lives? Or were Sisko's actions unjustified because theyviolated universally valid moral rules and principles? In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and ZacharyFruhling analyze "In the Pale Moonlight" from the contrastingethical theories of consequentalist ethics (or utilitarianism) anddeontological ethics (or rule-based ethics). Mike and Zacharyconsider the applicability of different forms of consequentialism,such as Jeremy Bentham's quantitative approach to utilitarianism,John Start Mill's more qualitative approach to utilitarianism, andrule utilitarianism as a middle-ground between ethics emphasizingconsequences and ethics emphasizing rules.This episode of Meta Treks covers the crucial concepts ofdeontological/Kantian ethics, such as Kant's CategoricalImperative, the notion that some actions are intrinsically right orwrong regardless of consequences, and treating others as ends inthemselves and not merely as means to your own ends. Mike andZachary wrap up the conversation with a discussion of whether thejustification for the Prime Directive is chiefly consequentialistor whether the Prime Directive, as the Federation's highest law orrule, is grounded in the intrinsic worth of the natural developmentof other worlds and cultures.ChaptersWelcome to Episode 6 (00:01:06)Discussing the CBS Star Trek Announcement (00:02:22)Introducing the Topic (00:15:10)Consequentialism (00:16:40)Example - In The Pale Moonlight (00:19:31)Utilitarianism (00:32:09)Deontological Ethics (00:44:00)Kantian Ethics (00:44:40)The Categorical Imperative (00:49:00)The Prime Directive (01:05:38)Rule Utilitarianism (01:10:05)Virtue Based Ethics (01:17:46)Final Thoughts (01:20:06)HostsMike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling  Production Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (ExecutiveProducer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing(Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) WillNguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)  Send us your feedback!Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfmSupport the Network!Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trektalk coming every week. We have great perks for youat http://patreon.com/trekfm

Consequentialism vs. Deontological Ethics. In the Deep Space Nine episode "In the Pale Moonlight," was Captain Sisko justified in using less-then-honorable means to bring the Romulans into the war with the Dominion in order to end the war and save lives? Or were Sisko's actions unjustified because they violated universally valid moral rules and principles?  In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling analyze "In the Pale Moonlight" from the contrasting ethical theories of consequentalist ethics (or utilitarianism) and deontological ethics (or rule-based ethics). Mike and Zachary consider the applicability of different forms of consequentialism, such as Jeremy Bentham's quantitative approach to utilitarianism, John Start Mill's more qualitative approach to utilitarianism, and rule utilitarianism as a middle-ground between ethics emphasizing consequences and ethics emphasizing rules. This episode of Meta Treks covers the crucial concepts of deontological/Kantian ethics, such as Kant's Categorical Imperative, the notion that some actions are intrinsically right or wrong regardless of consequences, and treating others as ends in themselves and not merely as means to your own ends. Mike and Zachary wrap up the conversation with a discussion of whether the justification for the Prime Directive is chiefly consequentialist or whether the Prime Directive, as the Federation's highest law or rule, is grounded in the intrinsic worth of the natural development of other worlds and cultures. Chapters Welcome to Episode 6 (00:01:06) Discussing the CBS Star Trek Announcement (00:02:22) Introducing the Topic (00:15:10) Consequentialism (00:16:40) Example - In The Pale Moonlight (00:19:31) Utilitarianism (00:32:09) Deontological Ethics (00:44:00) Kantian Ethics (00:44:40) The Categorical Imperative (00:49:00) The Prime Directive (01:05:38) Rule Utilitarianism (01:10:05) Virtue Based Ethics (01:17:46) Final Thoughts (01:20:06) Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling Production Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)  Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm </a> Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm </a> Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact </a> Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://trek.fm/%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://trek.fm/ </a> Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a>Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

6: Whacking Vreenak

Cardassian Virtue Ethics.    Throughout the Star Trek universe, the various alien races serve as a mirror for the best and the worst of our own human natures, and the Cardassians are no exception. But which character traits do the Cardassians find most virtuous? And which characters in the Star Trek universe are the best candidates for the ideal or most virtuous Cardassians, based on the unique character traits that Cardassians themselves recognize as virtues?    In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss Cardassian virtue ethics and what we can learn about ourselves from a look into Cardassian culture.    Chapters  Intro (00:01:21)  Cardassian Virtue Ethics (00:04:22)  Next Generation Cardassians vs. DS9 Cardassians (00:12:11)  Body Language and Projecting Values (00:18:14)  The Cardassian Übermensch (00:29:37)  Tribunal and the Ethics of the Cardassian State (00:35:08)  Industrial Design as a Reflection of Cardassian Values (00:48:50)  Self Sacrifice vs. Self Service and The Philosopher-King Paradox (00:57:32)  The Hero of His Own Story (01:07:35)  Final Thoughts (01:08:28)  Closing (01:15:20)    Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling    Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Cardassian Virtue Ethics.   Throughout the Star Trek universe, the various alien races serve as a mirror for the best and the worst of our own human natures, and the Cardassians are no exception. But which character traits do the Cardassians find most virtuous? And which characters in the Star Trek universe are the best candidates for the ideal or most virtuous Cardassians, based on the unique character traits that Cardassians themselves recognize as virtues?   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss Cardassian virtue ethics and what we can learn about ourselves from a look into Cardassian culture.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:21)  Cardassian Virtue Ethics (00:04:22)  Next Generation Cardassians vs. DS9 Cardassians (00:12:11)  Body Language and Projecting Values (00:18:14)  The Cardassian Übermensch (00:29:37)  Tribunal and the Ethics of the Cardassian State (00:35:08)  Industrial Design as a Reflection of Cardassian Values (00:48:50)  Self Sacrifice vs. Self Service and The Philosopher-King Paradox (00:57:32)  The Hero of His Own Story (01:07:35)  Final Thoughts (01:08:28)  Closing (01:15:20)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

70: The Clothes Make the Cardassian

The Science/Religion Debate.  Star Trek is often interpreted to have a negative view of religion,in favor of a humanistic and atheistic vision of the future. Inthis episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and ZacharyFruhling challenge the typical interpretation of science andreligion in Star Trek, considering both the rationality ofreligious belief and also potential issues with the rationality ofscientific reasoning. Topics in this episode include traditional philosophical argumentsattempting to prove God's existence, the correspondence theory oftruth vs. the coherence theory of truth, logical positivism and themeaningfulness of religious language, the tentativeness ofscientific conclusions, Thomas Kuhn on paradigm shifts in science,and the problem of divine action. Mike and Zachary conclude thediscussion by asking what we can learn about divine action andtop-down causation by the movement of matter and antimatterparticles inside the warp core of a starship. This episode also introduces the Meta Treks review contest, runningbetween December 15, 2015 and January 15, 2016.ChaptersWelcome to Episode 8 (00:01:06)  Overview of the Topic  (00:01:25)  Meta Treks Review Contest (00:11:54)  Discussion Starts (00:14:50)  The Rationality of Religious Belief (00:18:08)  The Correspondence Theory of Truth (00:31:15)  The Irrationality of Science (00:38:10)  Final Thoughts (01:14:55)  HostsMike Morrison and Zachary FruhlingProductionDennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C.Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (ExecutiveProducer) Matthew Rushing (ExecutiveProducer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) WillNguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)Send us your feedback!Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfmSupport the Network!Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trektalk coming every week. We have great perks for youat http://patreon.com/trekfm

The Science/Religion Debate.  Star Trek is often interpreted to have a negative view of religion, in favor of a humanistic and atheistic vision of the future. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling challenge the typical interpretation of science and religion in Star Trek, considering both the rationality of religious belief and also potential issues with the rationality of scientific reasoning.  Topics in this episode include traditional philosophical arguments attempting to prove God's existence, the correspondence theory of truth vs. the coherence theory of truth, logical positivism and the meaningfulness of religious language, the tentativeness of scientific conclusions, Thomas Kuhn on paradigm shifts in science, and the problem of divine action. Mike and Zachary conclude the discussion by asking what we can learn about divine action and top-down causation by the movement of matter and antimatter particles inside the warp core of a starship.  This episode also introduces the Meta Treks review contest, running between December 15, 2015 and January 15, 2016. Chapters Welcome to Episode 8 (00:01:06)   Overview of the Topic  (00:01:25)   Meta Treks Review Contest (00:11:54)   Discussion Starts (00:14:50)   The Rationality of Religious Belief (00:18:08)   The Correspondence Theory of Truth (00:31:15)   The Irrationality of Science (00:38:10)   Final Thoughts (01:14:55)  Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling Production Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm </a> Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm </a> Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact </a> Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/</a> Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a> Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

8: It's Turtles All The Way Down

The Original Series Season 1 - Essential Trek Philosophy.   The entire Star Trek franchise, with over 700 television episodes and 13 feature films (to date), owes its existence to the strength of season 1 of Star Trek: The Original Series. If season 1 hadn't been as strong as it was, we wouldn't have the Star Trek franchise we know and love today. Season 1 of The Original Series isn't just strong dramatically, however. It is also strong philosophically, episode by episode exploring abstract ideas, future human potential, and the human condition.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling go back to where it all began in a discussion of their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 1 of Star Trek: The Original Series. Join Mike and Zachary as they discuss the four dominant philosophical themes in the premiere season of Star Trek: ethical and moral dilemmas, transhumanism and future human potential, the internal struggle of conflicting human natures, and the ethics of war.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Initial Thoughts on TOS Season One (00:01:58)  The Four Main Philosophical Themes (00:10:26)  Moral Choices and Ethical Conundrums (00:14:54)  The City on the Edge of Forever (00:15:07)  Transhumanism (00:21:13)  The Cage (00:22:24)  Arena (00:26:28)  Errand of Mercy (00:28:11)  The Return of the Archons (00:33:39)  Space Seed (00:37:47)  Where No Man Has Gone Before (00:39:52)  Charlie X/The Squire of Gothos (00:40:30)  What Are Little Girls Made Of? (00:42:32)  Miri (00:46:13)  Dagger of the Mind (0047:31)  Exploration of Human Nature (00:50:49)  The Enemy Within (00:52:06)  The Conscience of the King (00:56:21)  The Alternative Factor (00:58:03)  Ethics of War (01:03:48)  Balance of Terror (01:04:33)  A Taste of Armageddon (01:06:14)  This Side of Paradise (01:08:35)  Devil in the Dark (01:11:38)  Recap and Final Thoughts (01:15:08)  Closing (01:18:31)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Original Series Season 1 - Essential Trek Philosophy.   The entire Star Trek franchise, with over 700 television episodes and 13 feature films (to date), owes its existence to the strength of season 1 of Star Trek: The Original Series. If season 1 hadn't been as strong as it was, we wouldn't have the Star Trek franchise we know and love today. Season 1 of The Original Series isn't just strong dramatically, however. It is also strong philosophically, episode by episode exploring abstract ideas, future human potential, and the human condition.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling go back to where it all began in a discussion of their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 1 of Star Trek: The Original Series. Join Mike and Zachary as they discuss the four dominant philosophical themes in the premiere season of Star Trek: ethical and moral dilemmas, transhumanism and future human potential, the internal struggle of conflicting human natures, and the ethics of war.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Initial Thoughts on TOS Season One (00:01:58)  The Four Main Philosophical Themes (00:10:26)  Moral Choices and Ethical Conundrums (00:14:54)  The City on the Edge of Forever (00:15:07)  Transhumanism (00:21:13)  The Cage (00:22:24)  Arena (00:26:28)  Errand of Mercy (00:28:11)  The Return of the Archons (00:33:39)  Space Seed (00:37:47)  Where No Man Has Gone Before (00:39:52)  Charlie X/The Squire of Gothos (00:40:30)  What Are Little Girls Made Of? (00:42:32)  Miri (00:46:13)  Dagger of the Mind (0047:31)  Exploration of Human Nature (00:50:49)  The Enemy Within (00:52:06)  The Conscience of the King (00:56:21)  The Alternative Factor (00:58:03)  Ethics of War (01:03:48)  Balance of Terror (01:04:33)  A Taste of Armageddon (01:06:14)  This Side of Paradise (01:08:35)  Devil in the Dark (01:11:38)  Recap and Final Thoughts (01:15:08)  Closing (01:18:31)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

88: Spock's Altered States of Consciousness

Children of Time.    In the Deep Space Nine episode "Children of Time," Captain Sisko and company discover a planet with a colony of 8,000 descendants of the Defiant crew, the Defiant having been marooned 200 years in the past as a result of the attempt to escape the quantum bubble surrounding the planet. Forced to choose between saving the life of Major Kira and preserving the timeline and lives of their 8,000 descendants (dashing any hope of returning home to their lives and families on Deep Space Nine), Captain Sisko must weigh the lives of 8,000 colonists and descendants, the life of Major Kira, and the individual rights of the Defiant crew members to determine their own destiny.    In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the many philosophical themes and issues in "Children of Time." From phenomenological reflection on genealogy and legacy, to the competing rights at play in this episode's principle ethical dilemma, Zachary and Mike share their perspectives on "Children of Time" and the impact of multi-generational thinking on morality and ethics in the Star Trek universe.    Chapters  Welcome to Episode 53 (00:01:06)  Comparison with Enterprise "E2" (00:02:00)  Synopsis of "Children of Time" (00:05:09)  The Phenomenology of Genealogy (00:08:53)  Legacy and Legend - Multi-Generational Virtues (00:13:25)  Worf's Mek'leth and the Things We Leave Behind (00:21:07)  The Importance of Telling Our Stories (00:29:52)  A Multilayered Ethical Dilemma - The Defiant Problem (00:33:06)  The Episode's End - Resolving the Dilemma (00:38:28)  Comparison with Judith Jarvis Thomson's Violinist Argument (00:41:54)  A Change of Heart and Getting to Know People (00:49:28)  Sacrificing the Duplicate Defiant Crew Members (00:55:34)  Did Alt-Odo Do the Right Thing? (00:59:38)  Temporal Time Lag (01:08:15)  Final Thoughts - Quantum Duplicates and the Reset Button (01:12:23)    Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison    Production Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)    Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm   Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm   Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact   Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/  Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm     Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at  http://patreon.com/trekfm

Children of Time.   In the Deep Space Nine episode "Children of Time," Captain Sisko and company discover a planet with a colony of 8,000 descendants of the Defiant crew, the Defiant having been marooned 200 years in the past as a result of the attempt to escape the quantum bubble surrounding the planet. Forced to choose between saving the life of Major Kira and preserving the timeline and lives of their 8,000 descendants (dashing any hope of returning home to their lives and families on Deep Space Nine), Captain Sisko must weigh the lives of 8,000 colonists and descendants, the life of Major Kira, and the individual rights of the Defiant crew members to determine their own destiny.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the many philosophical themes and issues in "Children of Time." From phenomenological reflection on genealogy and legacy, to the competing rights at play in this episode's principle ethical dilemma, Zachary and Mike share their perspectives on "Children of Time" and the impact of multi-generational thinking on morality and ethics in the Star Trek universe.   Chapters  Welcome to Episode 53 (00:01:06)  Comparison with Enterprise "E2" (00:02:00)  Synopsis of "Children of Time" (00:05:09)  The Phenomenology of Genealogy (00:08:53)  Legacy and Legend - Multi-Generational Virtues (00:13:25)  Worf's Mek'leth and the Things We Leave Behind (00:21:07)  The Importance of Telling Our Stories (00:29:52)  A Multilayered Ethical Dilemma - The Defiant Problem (00:33:06)  The Episode's End - Resolving the Dilemma (00:38:28)  Comparison with Judith Jarvis Thomson's Violinist Argument (00:41:54)  A Change of Heart and Getting to Know People (00:49:28)  Sacrificing the Duplicate Defiant Crew Members (00:55:34)  Did Alt-Odo Do the Right Thing? (00:59:38)  Temporal Time Lag (01:08:15)  Final Thoughts - Quantum Duplicates and the Reset Button (01:12:23)   Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)   Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm</a>  Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm</a>  Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact</a>  Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/</a>  Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a>   Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

53: Saving Major Kira

Enterprise Season 3 - Essential Trek Philosophy.    Season three of Enterprise, with its Xindi story arc, is firmly situated in the post-9/11 era, concentrating principally on the ethics of justified warfare as a response to acts of terrorism. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the philosophical themes and their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season three of Enterprise. From consequentalist considerations about preemptive strikes to duplicate crew members and issues of personal identity, season three of Enterprise balances global political relevance, a season-length story arc, and episodic treatment of more abstract philosophical issues.    Chapters  Welcome to Episode 52 (00:01:06)  2016 Retrospective (00:02:12)  Initial Thoughts on Enterprise Season 3 (00:11:47)  Similitude (00:14:58)  Chosen Realm (00:25:48)  North Star (00:37:53)  E2 (00:45:04)  Twilight (00:53:18)  Honorable Mentions (00:58:13)  Final Thoughts (01:07:35)    Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling    Production Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)    Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm   Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm   Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact   Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/  Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm     Support the Network! Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at  http://patreon.com/trekfm

Enterprise Season 3 - Essential Trek Philosophy.   Season three of Enterprise, with its Xindi story arc, is firmly situated in the post-9/11 era, concentrating principally on the ethics of justified warfare as a response to acts of terrorism. In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss the philosophical themes and their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season three of Enterprise. From consequentalist considerations about preemptive strikes to duplicate crew members and issues of personal identity, season three of Enterprise balances global political relevance, a season-length story arc, and episodic treatment of more abstract philosophical issues.   Chapters  Welcome to Episode 52 (00:01:06)  2016 Retrospective (00:02:12)  Initial Thoughts on Enterprise Season 3 (00:11:47)  Similitude (00:14:58)  Chosen Realm (00:25:48)  North Star (00:37:53)  E2 (00:45:04)  Twilight (00:53:18)  Honorable Mentions (00:58:13)  Final Thoughts (01:07:35)   Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production Mike Morrison (Editor and Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)   Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm</a>  Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm</a>  Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact</a>  Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/</a>  Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a>   Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

52: Ten Second Jon

Good vs. Evil in Star Trek.   We generally understand the meaning of "good," whether in the sense of following the rules or in the sense of minimizing the suffering of others. But, paradoxically, we understand the nature of "evil" to a far lesser degree. While Star Trek tends to shy away from making strict moral judgments, opting instead to humanize its villains by explaining the psychological motivations for their actions or the roots of those actions in past experiences, Star Trek does, however, explore the nature of evil in characters such as Armus from "Skin of Evil" (Star Trek: The Next Generation), the Borg Queen (Star Trek: First Contact; Star Trek: Voyager), and the Pah-Wraiths (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine).   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss "good versus evil" in the Star Trek universe. Are these supposedly evil characters are truly evil, or are they off the hook because of their backgrounds and their respective sob stories?   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Initial Thoughts on Good and Evil (00:03:17)  Pah-Wraiths and Evil in DS9 (00:08:43)  False Dichotomies and Defining Characteristics of Evil (00:11:25)  Enter Armus from "Skin of Evil" (00:18:09)  Comparing Evil in Star Trek to Evil in Theology (00:28:52)  The Borg as a Candidate for Evil (00:38:00)  The Borg Queen vs. The Pah-Wraiths (00:50:39)  Nietzsche and the Judaeo Concept of Evil (00:56:41)  Khaaaan! (01:05:51)  Final Thoughts (01:13:52)  Closing (01:27:02)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Good vs. Evil in Star Trek.   We generally understand the meaning of "good," whether in the sense of following the rules or in the sense of minimizing the suffering of others. But, paradoxically, we understand the nature of "evil" to a far lesser degree. While Star Trek tends to shy away from making strict moral judgments, opting instead to humanize its villains by explaining the psychological motivations for their actions or the roots of those actions in past experiences, Star Trek does, however, explore the nature of evil in characters such as Armus from "Skin of Evil" (Star Trek: The Next Generation), the Borg Queen (Star Trek: First Contact; Star Trek: Voyager), and the Pah-Wraiths (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine).   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss "good versus evil" in the Star Trek universe. Are these supposedly evil characters are truly evil, or are they off the hook because of their backgrounds and their respective sob stories?   Chapters  Intro (00:01:19)  Initial Thoughts on Good and Evil (00:03:17)  Pah-Wraiths and Evil in DS9 (00:08:43)  False Dichotomies and Defining Characteristics of Evil (00:11:25)  Enter Armus from "Skin of Evil" (00:18:09)  Comparing Evil in Star Trek to Evil in Theology (00:28:52)  The Borg as a Candidate for Evil (00:38:00)  The Borg Queen vs. The Pah-Wraiths (00:50:39)  Nietzsche and the Judaeo Concept of Evil (00:56:41)  Khaaaan! (01:05:51)  Final Thoughts (01:13:52)  Closing (01:27:02)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

86: Pandora's Stasis Chamber

Poker, Virtue Ethics, and the Prisoner's Dilemma.In Star Trek: The Next Generation, we see a lot of poker:from Commander Riker cleaning house, to Data learning how to bluff,to Geordi claiming not to cheat with his VISOR. But exactly why dowe see so much poker in Star Trek? What importantcharacter traits or skills does the game of poker help instill in ayoung Starfleet officer? Can any important lessons in ethics ordiplomacy be learned from playing poker? How are those charactertraits or skills different from those learned from playing othergames, such as three-dimensional chess? And how does poker relateto game-like scenarios in ethics, such as the Prisoner's Dilemma?In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek PhilosophyPodcast, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling tackle thephilosophy and ethics of poker aboard the Enterprise-D. From virtueethics to game theory, Mike and Zachary bluff their way through adiscussion of the deeper significance of poker in the StarTrek universe. ChaptersWelcome to Episode 18 (00:01:07)Intro to the Topic (00:01:19)Meta Treks Reviews on iTunes (00:05:04)Poker Episodes in Star Trek: The Next Generation(00:08:38)Virtue Ethics - Does Poker Cultivate Desirable Character Traits?(00:27:15)Game Theory and the Prisoner's Dilemma (00:46:55)"Chain of Command" and the Prisoner's Dilemma (00:55:47)Final Thoughts (01:02:23)HostsMike Morrison and Zachary FruhlingProductionDennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C.Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (ExecutiveProducer) Matthew Rushing (ExecutiveProducer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) WillNguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)Send us your feedback!Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://www.trek.fm/Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfmSupport the Network!Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep StarTrek talk coming every week. We have great perks for youat http://patreon.com/trekfm

Poker, Virtue Ethics, and the Prisoner's Dilemma. In Star Trek: The Next Generation, we see a lot of poker: from Commander Riker cleaning house, to Data learning how to bluff, to Geordi claiming not to cheat with his VISOR. But exactly why do we see so much poker in Star Trek? What important character traits or skills does the game of poker help instill in a young Starfleet officer? Can any important lessons in ethics or diplomacy be learned from playing poker? How are those character traits or skills different from those learned from playing other games, such as three-dimensional chess? And how does poker relate to game-like scenarios in ethics, such as the Prisoner's Dilemma? In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling tackle the philosophy and ethics of poker aboard the Enterprise-D. From virtue ethics to game theory, Mike and Zachary bluff their way through a discussion of the deeper significance of poker in the Star Trek universe.  Chapters Welcome to Episode 18 (00:01:07) Intro to the Topic (00:01:19) Meta Treks Reviews on iTunes (00:05:04) Poker Episodes in Star Trek: The Next Generation (00:08:38) Virtue Ethics - Does Poker Cultivate Desirable Character Traits? (00:27:15) Game Theory and the Prisoner's Dilemma (00:46:55) "Chain of Command" and the Prisoner's Dilemma (00:55:47) Final Thoughts (01:02:23) Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling Production Dennis Castello (Editor and Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm  Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/trekfm </a> Voicemail: <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm </a> Contact Form: <a href="http://www.trek.fm/contact%C2%A0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/contact </a> Visit the <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> website at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.trek.fm/</a> Subscribe in iTunes: <a href="http://itunes.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://itunes.com/trekfm</a> Support the Network! Become a <a href="http://Trek.fm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trek.fm</a> Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at <a href="http://www.trek.fm/commentary-trek-stars/Support%20the%20Network!Become%20a%20Trek.fm%20Patron%20on%20Patreon%20and%20help%20us%20keep%20Star%20Trek%20talk%20coming%20every%20week.%20We%20have%20great%20perks%20for%20you%20at%20http://patreon.com/trekfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://patreon.com/trekfm</a>

18: The Poker Game of Life (on the Enterprise)

The Visitor.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophical themes in the fourth-season Deep Space Nine episode, "The Visitor." Inspired by Jake Sisko's passion for writing, Zachary and Mike discuss the relationship between creative writing, lived experience, and what the German philosopher Martin Heidegger called "Being-in-the-World." Zachary and Mike also discuss "The Visitor" as a phenomenological metaphor for various aspects of human experience, including interpersonal connection, parenthood, regret, aging, and the lifelong quest to rediscover one's true self.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:20)  Initial Thoughts about DS9 "The Visitor" (00:02:46)  Heidegger and "In-der-Weld-Sein" (00:03:44)  Life Observed vs. Life Lived (00:10:39)  Unresolved Moments in Time (00:18:29)  Phenomenology of Human Experience (00:26:32)  Metaphysical Personal Connection (00:30:16)  Self-Sacrifice and Cutting the Cord (00:47:00)  Experience and Change Over Time (00:51:43)  The Old Defiant Crew Out of Mothballs (01:03:17)  Final Thoughts (01:05:51)  Closing (01:12:56)   Hosts  Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Visitor.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophical themes in the fourth-season Deep Space Nine episode, "The Visitor." Inspired by Jake Sisko's passion for writing, Zachary and Mike discuss the relationship between creative writing, lived experience, and what the German philosopher Martin Heidegger called "Being-in-the-World." Zachary and Mike also discuss "The Visitor" as a phenomenological metaphor for various aspects of human experience, including interpersonal connection, parenthood, regret, aging, and the lifelong quest to rediscover one's true self.   Chapters  Intro (00:01:20)  Initial Thoughts about DS9 "The Visitor" (00:02:46)  Heidegger and "In-der-Weld-Sein" (00:03:44)  Life Observed vs. Life Lived (00:10:39)  Unresolved Moments in Time (00:18:29)  Phenomenology of Human Experience (00:26:32)  Metaphysical Personal Connection (00:30:16)  Self-Sacrifice and Cutting the Cord (00:47:00)  Experience and Change Over Time (00:51:43)  The Old Defiant Crew Out of Mothballs (01:03:17)  Final Thoughts (01:05:51)  Closing (01:12:56)   Hosts  Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

85: The Pen Is Mightier Than the Bat'leth

TNG Season 5 - Essential Trek Philosophy.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 5 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. From transhumanism and a positive spin on genetic engineering in "The Masterpiece Society" to the philosophy of language and an exploration of non-referential language in "Darmok," season five contains some of the philosophically richest episodes in all of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Mike and Zachary also discuss Kantian ethics versus consequentialism in "I, Borg" and medical ethics in the aptly named episode "Ethics," in addition to the unique explorations of the metaphysics of time and the ethics of time travel in "Cause and Effect" and "A Matter of Time."    Chapters  Intro (00:01:20)  The Masterpiece Society (00:06:15)  Darmok (00:20:03)  I, Borg (00:47:31)  Cause and Effect (00:55:37)  A Matter of Time (01:01:39)  Conundrum (01:06:59)  Ethics (01:10:33)  Closing (01:20:43)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

TNG Season 5 - Essential Trek Philosophy.   In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their top picks for Essential Trek Philosophy from season 5 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. From transhumanism and a positive spin on genetic engineering in "The Masterpiece Society" to the philosophy of language and an exploration of non-referential language in "Darmok," season five contains some of the philosophically richest episodes in all of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Mike and Zachary also discuss Kantian ethics versus consequentialism in "I, Borg" and medical ethics in the aptly named episode "Ethics," in addition to the unique explorations of the metaphysics of time and the ethics of time travel in "Cause and Effect" and "A Matter of Time."   Chapters  Intro (00:01:20)  The Masterpiece Society (00:06:15)  Darmok (00:20:03)  I, Borg (00:47:31)  Cause and Effect (00:55:37)  A Matter of Time (01:01:39)  Conundrum (01:06:59)  Ethics (01:10:33)  Closing (01:20:43)   Hosts  Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling   Production  Mike Morrison (Editor) Zachary Fruhling (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer) Kay Shaw (Associate Producer) Mark Walker (Associate Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

84: Meta-Metaphoric

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