Starship Phenomenology. Phenomenology is a post-Kantian philosophical school of thought emphasizing conceptual analysis of the objects of your first-person mental experience. In this episode of Meta Treks , Zachary Fruhling leads Mike Morrison on a guided meditation starship phenomenology thought experiment as a Star Trek inspired lesson in phenomenology. Ultimately Mike and Zachary reach the conclusion that all of Star Trek , by pushing against the boundaries of society's norms, can be thought ...
Aug 15, 2016•1 hr 14 min
Deep Space Nine Season 7: Essential Trek Philosophy. The final season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had several jobs to do: from continuing the character arcs of an ensemble cast to wrapping up the Dominion War story line. But in addition to character arcs and story lines, season 7 of Deep Space Nine also continued what Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison have termed "philosophy arcs." From the nature of conjoined consciousness to a look at the best and worst of human nature (through Ferengi eyes...
Aug 08, 2016•1 hr 24 min
The Philosophy of Star Trek Beyond . In this episode of Meta Treks , hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling share their initial thoughts on the philosophical themes and overall message of Star Trek Beyond . From the existential journeys of Kirk and Spock, to Spock's moral obligation to his own endangered species, to Balthazar Edison's resentment-based militarism and perpetual war, Star Trek Beyond continues the ongoing Star Trek tradition of philosophical and character-driven exploration of th...
Aug 01, 2016•1 hr 41 min
The Divine Comedy. In this episode of Meta Treks , hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the classic work of literature The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri and its relevance to the Star Trek universe. Dante's semi-autobiographical, mythical tale of a redemptive and self-reflective journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, led by the poet Virgil (Dante's symbol of human reason) and the lady Beatrice (Dante's symbol of divine love), has become an archetypal metaphor for going astr...
Jul 25, 2016•1 hr 45 min
Nationalism. It is a commonly-held belief that humans in the 23rd and 24th century world of Star Trek have progressed beyond nationalism. The Federation, however, is only one of many intra-galactic nation states. The Federation, the Romulan Empire, the Klingon Empire, and the Cardassian Empire each has its own "national" symbols, colors, political structure, and cultural values. To what extent has the Federation helped humanity transcend the need for nationalism, and to what extent is it still b...
Jul 18, 2016•1 hr 29 min
"Cause and Effect" and the Metaphysics of Time. In this 33rd episode of Meta Treks , "All Threes," hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison use the TNG episode "Cause and Effect" as the starting point for a discussion on the physics and the metaphysics of time. Zachary and Mike consider the core philosophical questions about the nature of time, such as ontology (whether the past and the future really exist), duration (why time moves at the rate it does), movement (whether there is a flow of time...
Jul 04, 2016•1 hr 42 min
Voyager Season 7 - Essential Trek Philosophy. In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast , hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling compare their selections for "Essential Trek Philosophy" from season 7 of Star Trek: Voyager . From Cartesian skepticism in "Unimatrix Zero" and "Workforce," to medical ethics and the ethics of bioengineering in "Critical Care" and "Lineage," season 7 of Voyager continues Star Trek's philosophical exploration of the human condition right up until ...
Jun 27, 2016•1 hr 41 min
Speech Acts and Performative Utterances. In this episode of Meta Treks , hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the philosophical and linguistic issues of speech acts and performative utterances. Many different kinds of speech acts can be found inside Star Trek , including taking oaths and granting promotions, saying wedding vows and pronouncing marriages, naming androids and christening starships, auto-destruct commands, replicator orders, and transfers of command, to name a few. Zach...
Jun 20, 2016•1 hr 24 min
The Philosophy of Insurrection . Coming off the heels of the blockbuster success of Star Trek: First Contact , the next TNG-era feature film Star Trek: Insurrection returned to Star Trek 's philosophical roots by focusing on a strong moral dilemma, social commentary, and character interaction. Although Insurrection is not usually cited as a fan-favorite among TNG-era Star Trek films, Insurrection is a classic Star Trek morality play containing an impressive number of philosophical layers, given ...
Jun 06, 2016•1 hr 24 min
Crime and Punishment. Many different forms of punishment are depicted in Star Trek . From the Risa-like Federation penal colony in New Zealand to engramatic purges and twenty-year virtual prison sentences, Meta Treks hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss the ethics of the various forms of punishment seen in the Star Trek universe. Zachary and Mike debate the different possible justifications of punishment in general, such as punishment as a deterrent, punishment as getting what you de...
May 30, 2016•1 hr 37 min
Enterprise Season Four - Essential Trek Philosophy. In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast , hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling are joined by fellow Trek.fm hosts Jeffrey Harlan and Norman Lao to discuss their top picks for "Essential Trek Philosophy" from season four of Star Trek: Enterprise . From the ethics of genetic engineering and disease control to the metaphysics of transporters and telepresence-controlled starships, Enterprise season four is loaded with phil...
May 16, 2016•1 hr 42 min
The Industrial Design Philosophy of Star Trek. The tools, manufactured objects, and environments in Star Trek have many influences: futurism, minimalism, mid-century modernism, ergonomics, and transhumanism, to name a few. In this episode of Meta Treks , hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison examine the industrial design philosophy of Star Trek . From its technological and social progressivism to its roots in 1960s counterculture, Zachary and Mike explore the implicit values and assumptions b...
May 09, 2016•1 hr 29 min
Euthanasia in Star Trek. In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast , we debate the ethical issue of euthanasia in Star Trek . From the flashback scene of Dr. McCoy removing his father from life support in Star Trek V , to the ritual suicide practices of various alien races, we examine a variety of examples of euthanasia in Star Trek . We also cover several key philosophical distinctions related to euthanasia, such as the distinction between voluntary and involuntary euthanasi...
May 02, 2016•1 hr 24 min
Risa and Hedonism. What role does the pleasure planet of Risa play in the ethics of Star Trek ? Is Risa the ultimate hedonistic escape from the moralistic constraints of life in the Federation? Or is Risa the ultimate embodiment of the Federation's ideals of tolerance and acceptance? In this episode of Meta Treks , hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss Risa, hedonism, and the clash of Federation values seen in the Deep Space Nine episode "Let He Who Is Without Sin." Zachary and Mike c...
Apr 18, 2016•1 hr 29 min
The Bonding. When Lieutenant Marla Aster is killed unexpectedly during an away mission under Lieutenant Worf's command, Worf takes young Jeremy Aster under his wing by participating in the Klingon ritual known as "R'uustai" ("The Bonding"). In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast , hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling explore the philosophical themes of death and loss. Mike and Zachary discuss meaning and the existential absurdity of life and death, the sociological and...
Apr 11, 2016•1 hr 31 min
Vulcan Philosophy and Spinoza. Meta Treks hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss aspects of Vulcan philosophy, such as logic and IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations). Zachary and Mike examine the philosophical roots of Vulcan philosophy in the work of the Western rationalist philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Spinoza's greatest work, Ethics , contains many aspects of Vulcan philosophy, such as logical deduction from first principles and axioms, determinism (or faith that the uni...
Apr 04, 2016•1 hr 25 min
Star Trek IV and Environmental Ethics. In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast , hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling explore the issues of animal rights and environmental ethics in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home . In the wake of a recent announcement that Sea World is ceasing its captive orca (killer whale) breeding program, Mike and Zachary consider the possible justification for considering whales (and fire ants!) as beings entitled to moral consideration. From whale ...
Mar 28, 2016•1 hr 23 min
Manu Intiraymi. In this episode of Meta Treks , we're joined by Manu Intiraymi, also known as "Icheb" on Star Trek: Voyager . Together we talk about Manu's experiences joining the Voyager cast, the role of Icheb in the Voyager family, and the evolution of Icheb's character in the fan film Star Trek: Renegades . We also talk about Manu's latest film project, The Circuit , a multi-genre anthology film starring several Star Trek alumni. We conclude with some philosophical musings on the best and wo...
Mar 21, 2016•1 hr 29 min
Preemptive War and Star Trek Into Darkness . Star Trek has a long tradition of dealing with ethical, social, and political issues in the real world, and Star Trek Into Darkness is no different. One of the most important issues in the world today is how far a society should go to protect itself. What freedoms should we be willing to give up for sake of safety and security? Should a government be allowed to spy on its own citizens? And is it morally and ethically permissible to start a preemptive ...
Mar 14, 2016•1 hr 10 min
Hermeneutics in Star Trek . Hermeneutics is the art and science of meaning and textual interpretation. In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast , hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss issues of meaning and interpretation in Star Trek . From how to interpret Bajoran sacred texts and prophecies, to the interpretation of Federation law and Starfleet regulations, to the meaning of the Star Trek franchise itself for us today, Zachary and Mike cover a range of philosoph...
Mar 07, 2016•1 hr 35 min
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 o...
Feb 29, 2016•1 hr 19 min
Media Ecology with Dennis Castello. In the 24th century, is the holodeck the primary mode of media creation and consumption? And if so, what effect does the holographic medium have on Federation society as a whole? In this episode, Meta Treks editor and producer Dennis Castello joins hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison behind the microphone to discuss the sociological sub-discipline of media ecology. Media ecology holds that the different types of media a society consumes influence the beha...
Feb 22, 2016•1 hr 29 min
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 "alternat...
Feb 15, 2016•1 hr 10 min
The Paradox of the Philosopher King. In the third-season TOS episode "Plato's Stepchildren," the Platonians claim to have modeled their society on the ideals of the Greek philosopher Plato. Parmen, the leader of the Platonians, even claims to be a philosopher king as described in Plato's dialog, the Republic . In this episode of Meta Treks, find out what the Plutonians got right and what they got wrong about Plato's philosophy. Hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison discuss Plato's Paradox of ...
Feb 08, 2016•1 hr 18 min
"Living Witness" and Historical Evidence. Meta Treks hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling discuss historical evidence and the philosophy of history through the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Living Witness." Topics in this episode include weighing competing interpretations of historical evidence, reinterpreting accepted historical accounts, the reliability or unreliability of first-person accounts, uncovering lost or suppressed historical perspectives, historical revisionism vs. historical cont...
Feb 01, 2016•1 hr 21 min
The Nature of Consciousness. What is the nature of consciousness and what is its relation to the physical world? In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison explore the many ways that the nature of consciousness is portrayed in Star Trek. Focusing on the "hard problem" of consciousness (how subjective experience arises out of physical systems), Zachary and Mike explore different philosophical theories of consciousness, such as: mind-body dualism, physicalist theories ...
Jan 25, 2016•1 hr 47 min
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, coloni...
Jan 18, 2016•1 hr 23 min
Exocomps and Artificial Intelligence. Is it possible for non-biological beings such as androids, robots, or holograms to think? In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison explore the arguments for and against the possibility of artificial intelligence. Using the TNG episode "The Quality of Life" as a discussion springboard, Zachary and Mike cover Alan Turing and the Turing Test for artificial intelligence, the mind as a digital computer, Turing machines and emulation...
Jan 04, 2016•1 hr 37 min
The Problem of the External World. How can you know that the physical world you perceive around you is real and not an illusion, a dream, or a holodeck simulation? In this episode of Meta Treks, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling debate the philosophical problem of the external world through the lens of Star Trek. Mike and Zachary discuss whether it is possible for characters in Star Trek to know for sure that they are not stuck in a holodeck, in a telepathic projection, or in an illusion ...
Dec 21, 2015•1 hr 23 min
The Prime Directive and "Symbiosis." In the first-season TNG episode "Symbiosis," Captain Picard cites the Prime Directive (Starfleet's noninterference policy, General Order #1) as justification for his solution to the conflict between the narcotics-peddling Brekkans and the drug-addict Ornarans. Is the relationship between these two races a naturally evolved symbiotic relationship protected by the Prime Directive or a case of morally reprehensible exploitation calling for active intervention? I...
Dec 14, 2015•1 hr 25 min
