plw@panda.UUCP (Pete Williamson) (02/21/86)
One of the major themes that I very much enjoy about Star Trek is the general concept of discovery, of infinite diversity, and of the beauty and awe of the Universe. Indeed, the original five year mission and a few of the TV episodes focussed on this. Better still, several of the newer Star Trek novels focus on Alien cultures and customs and deeper character portrayals. One of the themes that I really dislike is: "the intuitive, emotional, Human way is far better than the logical, un-emotional, Vulcan way." The major vehicle for this theme has been the character of McCoy. Now that I think of it, I've never really liked McCoy. The whole business of intuition vs. logic is foolish chiefly because Senior Officers on ships like the Enterprise could only rise to major leadership positions by being able to apply BOTH logic and intuition to all critical situations. To a medical officer of McCoy's calibre, the scientific approach would be a major tool at his disposal. He would, by definition, be schooled in the very logic that his character apparently abhors. Spock's scientific credentials and accomplishments are widely known throughout Federation Space. Great scientists seem to have the ability to make intuitive leaps. Surely Spock has a great deal of intuition and insight (albeit hidden). And Captain James T. Kirk, arguably the finest field commander in Human History, could hardly rise to greatness without a powerfully logical, precise mind. Leadership, especially at that level, requires the best of both worlds, logic AND intuition, with a lightning ability to swap between them as needed. The theme that I like the best is one that the novels bring out a bit better than the video medium: the SPECIAL BOND between two extraordinary individuals, Kirk and Spock. These characters are larger than life to say the least! Kirk is the very essence of COMMAND. Spock is ... Spock. His character is probably one of the most interesting ever created. But put together, these two are an unbelievable team: the whole far outweighing the sum of the parts. On the whole, Star Trek is timeless and truly great! -- Pete Williamson "By hook or by crook, we will !!" ... #2
follmer@hplabsb.UUCP (Stephen Follmer) (02/22/86)
I've submit that discussing the primacy of logic vs. intuition top down vs. bottom up reason vs. emotion mind vs. body man vs. God etc. is as misguided or pointless as debating the issue yin vs. yang Both are necessary. Both have always been. Both always will be. Both are really the same; two sides of the same coin.
barmar@mit-eddie.UUCP (Barry Margolin) (02/22/86)
In article <1428@panda.UUCP> plw@genrad.UUCP (Pete Williamson) writes: >One of the themes that I really dislike is: "the intuitive, emotional, >Human way is far better than the logical, un-emotional, Vulcan way." >The major vehicle for this theme has been the character of McCoy. Now >that I think of it, I've never really liked McCoy. The whole business of >intuition vs. logic is foolish chiefly because Senior Officers on ships >like the Enterprise could only rise to major leadership positions by being >able to apply BOTH logic and intuition to all critical situations. I think you misunderstand McCoy. From many examples it is obvious that he has a highly logical mind, as does Kirk. However, they combine this with an emotional side. The McCoy argument is that BOTH are necessary for good judgement. Vulcan's attempt to use only one, and therefore tend to be cold and computer-like. Much of "Journey to Babel" (the episode with Spock's parents) was devoted to exploring this theme, and I think it was done very well. The arguments between Sarek and Amanda, between Kirk/McCoy and Spock, and between Amanda and Spock, highlight this philosophical problem. I think the general feeling among the humans in the show is that logic may be useful for basic decision making, but emotions are necessary for proper social interaction. "The Galileo 7" (the one with Spock, McCoy, and other crew members stranded) explores this by showing the callous decisions that are made solely on the basis of logic, without concern for people's feelings. -- Barry Margolin ARPA: barmar@MIT-Multics UUCP: ..!genrad!mit-eddie!barmar