I. What does Pearson (citing Gerrold) believe to be the essence of ST’s vision? Can her analysis be consistent with religious values as you understand them? Throughout the chapter, reference is made to the Enlightenment. What does the term connote philosophically and historically? What is reasonable Christianity? (Check the British Literature Home Page (SJC) under the neoclassical period.

A. Why did Roddenberry not think so?

B. A TNG episode that dramatizes the conflict between a Medieval to Renaissance technology is Thine Own Self (Season Seven.) Note especially Data's classroom conversation. There are interesting Frankenstein parallels too,

C. Note that Data's interaction with the villagers in Thine Own Self has significance Renaissance parallels, especially regarding Bacon's revisionist epistemology which inaugurated the scientific method:

1. How does Data behave in class?
2. What does he say to the teacher?
3. What did Bacon believe--click here to read his conclusions.

D. Roddenberry’s successors have rethought the vision in light of America’s acceptance of theism. We will consider episodes of DS-9 and Voyager that overly dramatize religious themes: recall, for example, Capt. Sisko’s dual role.

II. Roddenberry’s vision:

A. Why did Roddenberry distrust organized religion?

B. You might check the views of John Donne (Metaphysical poet) on this issue: See the British Lit. page.

C. Roddenberry professed optimism--can this be without spiritual values?

D. Pearson calls him an “agnostic humanist.” (p.16), What does that mean?

III. Historical Perspective (Instructor commentary:)

A. Look at the controversy that sparked dualistic thinking in the 16th and 17th centuries. Proponents of the more conservative theological values of the Church wondered if the new science would advance nominalistic progress at the expense of a needed moral context.

B. An excellent science fiction treatment of the inherent paradox between scientific progress and moral caution is Walter Miller’s A Canticle for Leibowitz. The metaphor of the light and generator is especially powerful.


IV. Classic Trek: Challenging the Machine in the God (p. 18)

A. This section deals with several TOS episodes that treated a common theme--a culture’s whose perfection derived from subservience to a godlike computer must be redirected by Kirk, despite the Prime Directive. Kirk argued that interference was mandated since the PD applied only to ”living-breathing” cultures which VAAL (The Apple) would not allow.

B. The allusion to Genesis in The Apple is obvious.

V. Instructor comment: The destruction of the godlike computer may not be as anti-religious as it seems. An examination of Test theology from Genesis to Abraham and Isaac to Job and later the Lord’s Prayer (“lead us not into temptation,” i.e.: “Subject us not to the test”) reveals that Kirk’s actions may not be as heretical as a first reading suggests. Look at the ending of The Book of Job. Why does God punish Job’s friends, and reward Job?

{PLEASE HAVE IN CLASS THE BOOK OF JOB: CHAPTERS: CHAPTERS 1-14, 29 to 31, and 38 to the end. CLICK HERE FOR A STUDY GUIDE TO THE BOOK OF JOB--PRINT OUT AND READ SECTIONS 3 AND 4--JOB AS GOD ON TRIAL, AND JOB AS MAN ON TRIAL.}

VI. Episodes worth viewing include Plato’s Stepchildren and Who Mourns for Adonais? which will receive attention in a later chapter.

VII. THE NEXT GENERATION OF FALSE GODS AND MISPLACED FAITH (p. 20)

A. Instructor note: In Justice (TNG) Picard seems to argue that justice cannot be absolute. What would Plato and Aristotle say? Would the Church agree? An interesting protocol for evaluating Picard’s statement would be the evolution of W. Crusher’s character. In this episode, he faces punishment bravely: “We’re from Star Fleet; we don’t lie.” Five years later, Wesley was guilty of suborning perjury (The First Duty / Season Five) and later disobeying Star Fleet orders to defend Native Americans’ right to their land. ( Journey's End / Season Seven). He then goes off with the "Traveler" to....?

B. The question in Biblical terms would be to compare Crusher’s character in each case--what would he have become if his level of cognitive / moral development had remained at the EDO-level? Did Wesley pay a price for his evolution? Should he have evolved?

VIII. Who Watches the Watchers has received considerable analytical attention in our text. What theological issues does it raise? Be especially aware of Troy and Picard’s comments on religion. In Rightful Heir, Worf has to come to terms with his spiritual beliefs.

A. Note Pearson’s evaluation of what constitutes a belief system.

B. Instructor note: A sufficient examination of Klingon society suggests parallels with the Mycenaean culture of Homer’s Iliad. What values did Homer explicate in the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon?

1. Did Achilles come to question the values his culture revered? Why?
2. How did the Greeks view the gods?
3. To whom can Kahless be compared?
4. To what in classical culture can the cloning be compared?

C. Great writers often predict what others overlook. Chaucer saw the end of the feudal order, and Shakespeare foresaw the end of the divine right theory and the rise of democracy. What did Homer foresee? Does ST have a vision?


IX. DEEP SPACE NINE AND VOYAGER: PRIVATE FAITH AND THE REDEMPTION OF RELIGION IN SPIRITUALITY:

A. Look very carefully at Pearson’s citing Major Kira Nerys in the Accession episode, (p. 25). What does her evaluation of faith suggest. Given the precariousness of the Bajoran situation, does her comment make sense? How is it mimetic?

B. Pearson cites Voyager’s Sacred Ground as a turning point in ST’s treatment of religion. What does Capt. Janeway believe at the beginning of the episode, and at its conclusion? What has happened?

C. Instructor Comment: Check the philosophy of Kierkegaard on the Philosophy home page (SJC) and read Sophie’s World). Is there a parallel spiritual evolution. Do the same thing for Sartre.

X. CONCLUSION:

A. Pearson mentions five religious themes dramatized in ST episodes. (p.28 ff.) What are they?

B. When looked at in the order presented, do they suggest a modification of Roddenberry’s vision. If Roddenberry were alive today (He died in 1991) and could read the chapter and the scripts for Voyager and DS-9, what do you think he would say?

For the Enlightenment, click here for the British Literature home page. Go to the Neoclassical period; read especially what Newton believed about God. What is DEISM? On the same page, click here for Bacon's epistemology.

For Donne, check the home page for the Seventeenth Century. Donne’s Mediations are especially important.

Miller, W. A Canticle for Leibowitz

Genesis (the temptation scene and God’s reaction)

Job (Note especially the ending)

See also the World Literature Home Page for notes on Genesis and Job

Homer. The Iliad. Note especially Books I and IX. The decision Achilles makes and defends in IX has much relevance to ST’s Klingon spirituality.

See the Philosophy Home page for Existentialism: Notes and primary source readings on Kierkegaard and Sartre.

Pope, A. Essay on Man offers an excellent summary of man’s relationship to God in the Enlightenment Age.

The Medieval-Renaissance philosophical dualism can be explored by reading Galileo’s letters on the Philosophy home page.

Gaarder, J. Sophie's World