The Metaphysics of Star Trek (Star Trek Series) [Paperback]

Richard Hanley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Star Trek Series | Publication Date: July 1, 1997

Using examples from the shows, this witty and absorbing volume looks at the "Star Trek" series and explores a broad spectrum of philosophical ideas and theories, such as "personhood" the nature of a person, of minds, of consciousness and of the emotions; the nature and extent of knowledge and of free will; the nature of personal survival; the issue of what does or should matter to persons in their continued survival; and the question of the proper treatment of nonhumans, whether persons or not. For example, the author analyzes the android Data and asks: Is Data a person? This question launches the reader into a philosophical discussion about ourselves and our knowledge of others. Another topic examined is the transporter, a device that dematerializes objects and rematerializes them in another location. Can someone really survive this process? And how does this experience affect personal identity?

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; First Edition edition (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465091245
• ISBN-13: 978-0465091249
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #716,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A challenging lecture!, January 31, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Guayaquil, Ecuador) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Metaphysics of Star Trek (Star Trek Series) (Paperback)

Don't be misled by the title: even people who haven't seen the series will really enjoy the contents of this book. The Star Trek universe is used in a very agile way by Hanley to analize quite an interesting number of subjects, offering his point of view, and opening the door for hours of stimulating discussion.

Richard Hanley challenges the reader to reconsider (or perhaps consider seriously for the first time) a number of philosophical issues concerning our existence: what are the basic elements of our human nature (or our personhood); life after death; mind over matter...

Hanley uses the plots of different chapters of ST to make the reader think. It does not matter if the depicted scenarios are not possible with today's technology, because what really is important is the analysis of situations. For instance, as a very small sample of what you will be discussing:

- Willl androids eventually become life forms, with rights of their own?

- Is it possible to alter the past? Is it possible to alter the future?

Finally, a personal contribution for more philosophical discussion. In the episode of Unnatural Selection, we are put face to face with the Fountain of Eternal Youth: the transporter!

It's so simple to use: you store all the physical identity of yourself, say at age 20 (better make some backups too, just in case!), when you have excellent health. Any time in the future, say 20 years after (or every year, suit yourself!), you put yourself in the transporter, and they beam you somewhere (inside the same ship will do just as well!). The only thing that you have to do is ask the operator to rematerialize you using the physical information of yourself at age 20. Voilá!

A very stimulating book indeed!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I Hated Star Trek, January 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Metaphysics of Star Trek (Star Trek Series) (Paperback)

...until I read Richard Hanley's book. I read this book while taking Hanley's Philosophy 102 class and it really helped me understand the basic philosophical questions we were tackling. It also helped me understand why people are so obsessed with the Star Trek shows. It reminded me of Sophie's World-both books teach you about philosophy and get you thinking without boring you to death.