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Title: The Ethics of Star Trek by Judy Barad Ph.D., Ed Robertson ISBN: 0-06-019530-4 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Pub. Date: 05 December, 2000 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $23.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (10 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: To paraphrase Mr. Spock, this book is ¿fascinating!¿
Comment: This book is for everyone who loves Star Trek for more than just its cool special effects, its hot alien babes, or even its sparkling intergalactic political intrigue. In other words, this book is for the serious (or casual) Star Trek fan who loves the show first and foremost because it embodies the ideals of its creator, Gene Roddenberry. And what are those ideals? Well, as the title, "The Ethics of Star Trek," would suggest, for one thing they're highly ETHICAL! But what is meant by the word "ethical" exactly, what does this have to do with Star Trek, and how does it fit in with the major philosophical schools of thought? Interested? Well, then, you've got to read this book!
In my opinion, what makes "The Ethics of Star Trek" so effective, more so in many ways than a straight philosophy textbook, is that the authors are able to make philosophy come to life in a fun way without "dumbing it down." How do they do this? Mainly by taking particular episodes and characters from Star Trek over the years, and then subjecting them to a serious philosophical analysis. For instance, the authors examine the actions and thoughts of Commander Benjamin Sisko in the Deep Space Nine episode, "In the Pale Moonlight," to examine utilitarianism ("the greatest good for the greatest number") and existentialism (the "angst" of free choice). Two "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episodes - "Ethics" and "I, Borg" - are used to illustrate the difference between Kant's three kinds of actions (those inconsistent with duty, those in accordance with duty, and those "from" duty). From all this, and much more, we see strains of Aristotelian virtue, Kantian morality, existentialism, and Platonic virtue running throughout the Star Trek series. We also see some basic values expressed: the ends does not always justify the means; rational beings should always be treated as ends in and of themselves; it is important to follow duty over desire, and altruism over egoism; and one must consider both the intentions AND the consequences of an action in evaluating its morality.
In sum, "The Ethics of Star Trek" is an enthralling, engaging, entertaining, enlightening book which takes both philosophy and Star Trek seriously. This is a great book for those of us with some knowledge of philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, Immanuel Kant, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, and Jean-Paul Sartre, but who could perhaps use a refresher course. "The Ethics of Star Trek" also would be a great primer for those of us who may not remember anything about Scottish philosopher W.D. Ross, and his six categories of prima facie duties, or Tom Regan and his "duty-based ethics," but are interested to learn! "The Ethics of Star Trek" covers the basics of all these philosophers, and more, and then applies them to Star Trek. As Mr. Spock might say, "fascinating!"
Rating: 4
Summary: A great intro to Ethics
Comment: This book is an excellent intro to ethics. It's written to be easy to read. It seems to cover all the major theories and philosophers from Socrates to Sartre. It's examples are very clear and easy to understand, mostly because it takes it's examples from Star Trek. If we haven't seen the episode, we can find it in syndication somewhere and see the example for ourselves. Again, an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about ethics.
Why didn't I give it a 5. Well, the last part of the book especially ch 12, they seem to indicate that their personal choice of vegetarianism is the most ethical way to live. Is it morally wrong for a lion to eat a gazelle? How about the Klingons? I don't remeber ever hearing of a Klingon farmer. They seem to be carniverous by nature. What about homosapiens? Agriculture was unknown to us for 95% of our existence on the planet. We are meat eaters by nature. Everywhere else in the book they look at Star Trek life through the eyes of several philosophers, seeing whose philosophy most resembles what is going on in Star Trek. In chapter 12 they just look at Regans ideas. They don't take any other philosophies into account and they totally ignore the Klingons obvious carnivourism.
I took exception to this because up to that point it was just a comparison of philosopies. No particualar phiosophy was pushed as being better. In chapter 12 I now felt preached at. If that chapter was rewritten to give a more balanced view, it would be a 5 star book.
Rating: 3
Summary: Decent overview
Comment: This book takes various ethical theories, and then discusses Trek episodes which seem to support that theory. Of course, the recurring question, do the needs of the many outweight the needs of the one? is discussed, as are other ethical theories, from the ancient Greeks forward. Ultimately, the author comes up with a "central ethical theory" for each Star Trek series, based on the characters and what the majority of the stories seem to pivot around. This book is an overview, and didn't keep me wholly interested, but it's a decent read. Warning, it is about ethical theory, and not about modern issues (ie. abortion, religion, homosexuality, etc.) If this is what you are looking for, then you will be pleased, but if you're looking for a book about ethics and modern problems (which I probably was) then you may be a bit disappointed.
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Title: Religions of Star Trek by Ross Shepard Kraemer, William Cassidy, Susan Schwartz ISBN: 0813367085 Publisher: Westview Press Pub. Date: 24 December, 2001 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
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Title: The Physics of Star Trek by Lawrence M. Krauss ISBN: 0060977108 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 25 September, 1996 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching Star Trek by Dave Marinaccio ISBN: 0517883864 Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA) Pub. Date: 01 June, 1995 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Is Data Human?: The Metaphysics of Star Trek by Richard Hanley ISBN: 0465045480 Publisher: Basic Books Pub. Date: 01 March, 1998 List Price(USD): $12.50 |
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Title: The Computers of Star Trek by Lois H. Gresh, Robert Weinberg ISBN: 046501299X Publisher: Basic Books Pub. Date: 05 June, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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