Roddenberrys Vision of Epistemology :: essays research papers

The television series booster Trek loggerheaded Space 9 takes place on a space station where different planets cultures, morals and religious values collide. These differences driveway the conflicts that form the basis of the stories. Some people in these cultures lead very(prenominal) nominalistic lifestyles, while others are more realistic and extremely earnest in their beliefs in their Gods. These differences can be seen in episodes such as In The Hands of the Prophets, The Aband wizd, or Life Support. The struggle between nominalism and naive realism has been a familiar idea on earth ever since the ancestor of a God was introduced. This same struggle will always be forever unless there is some definitive proof of God. The more realist ideas of Descartes and basin Locke assist in ones understanding of Star Treks themes. Descartes and Lockes epistemological philosophies are reflected in the philosophical aspect of broker Roddenberrys ideal society.As Star Treks creator, G ene Roddenberry has had a huge effect on the philosophical beliefs reflected in the show. close episodes are a direct mirror image of his thoughts. Since he was a teenager, Roddenberry strongly questioned the validity of religion and became an atheist in The Humanist Interview, he said religion was tremendously nonsense largely magical, superstitious things. In my own teen life, I just couldnt see any point in adopting something based on magic, which was obviously phony and superstitious.i When commenting on his first experiences doubting religion. His views on religion first appeared on Star Trek The Original Series when he refused to have a chaplain aboard the starship Enterprise. Since that early point, Roddenberry rarely addressed the issue of religion. Deep Space 9, the first series that he did non produce, developed episodes apply religious themes. Although Roddenberry did not directly influence this series, his beliefs about realism and nominalism lighten applied in th e episodes. Even though Roddenberry was a humanist, he did not completely reject all religions or the people who followed them. Tolerance was one of his best traits, and it was projected in Deep Space 9, through the large diversity of species and religions and the deep personalities of their members. Even though most species did not count in each others religions, they were still able to learn from each other. term the religions found in Star Trek are fictional, they still comport value, both to the other characters on the show as well as to the viewers.