The Talosians and Science

Today in Star Trek, The Menagerie, we were introduced to the Talosians in greater detail. Their ability lies in controlling an individual’s mind and affecting their reality. It was noted that they are confused by primitive emotions such as anger and are unable to counter act it. The Talosians can be looked at as a supreme power that is science. As they are confused by primitive emotions, it can be related to how scientific observations and hypotheses that are too associated with human emotions are dismissed and not credited. Do you agree that this is a solid analogy? Or is there an analogy that relates the Talosians and science more accurately?

I just finished watching 'The Menagerie' at home, and I apologize if any of this is a repeat from the in-class discussion, but I could not help wonder if there was a connection between Frankenstein's monster and Captain Christopher Pike. In both cases it appears that science has brought back to life deceased body parts. Dr McCoy made the observation that despite all of science's advancements, it was still not able to reach inside the human mind. Historically philosophers have argued over the presence of a soul in the mind. In modern time scientists are learning a great deal about the brain's mechanisms, functions, and complexities. Monism asserts that there is only the brain which will eventually be understood through science. Dualism, however, asserts that there is a brain and a mind (or soul/spirit) and that the mind is out of the reach of science. Do you all believe there is a connection between Dr. Frankenstein tampering with the creation of life and Dr. McCoy's desire to understand the human mind? Or do you believe Dr. McCoy is only interested in the biological and medical implications of understanding the intricacies of the brain?

In class we discussed the topic of morality concerning the creation of the monster. I believe that the moral dilemma arises when Frankenstein ignores what he has created. The monster he created is seen as hideous as soon as life enters the previously "beautiful" limbs. I think that Frankenstein is too emotional, and does not know how to react reasonably to various situations because of his self imposed isolation. He gets sick for a few months just from the thought of the monster. Clearly Frankenstein has a weak constitution for that which he used to love. Why do you think the reason for his sudden, paralyzing sickness is? Does the mere mental image of the monster generate such disgust, or is it something else?

Thoughts through Centuries

In the Order of Things by Michael Foucault after the Renaissance there was a large change over in the way that knowledge is perceived. As the Renaissance was a time period in which there was dramatic development in science, art, and literature as persons moved away from the Middle Age. It was a period of great importance as it signified a time in as a large amount of development began to occur. In the time after the Renaissance, the knowledge was significantly different than what it was before As Foucault compares the how perception has changed in that time, do you believe that a similar event is occurring presently or will occur in the future from the way knowledge is currently developing? Do you think that a contrast in the thoughts of different centuries will ever cease to occur?

The Soul of Science

In class today we discussed the Calcutta chromosome 'discovered' by Mangala is a means of transferring "human traits: it's all consciousness and soul at that end of the spectrum. (251)" In philosophy one of the most prominent debates is over the body and the soul. Some believe that the body is merely a vessel for the soul while others believe that there is no soul at all. Then again, there is a popular belief that the mind and the body exist separately. Renee Descartes believed that the mind and body were connected by the pineal gland in the brain, but this hypothesis has since been proven false. Is Ghosh proposing a theory analogous to Descartes's about a biological basis for the soul? Do you think Ghosh's Calcutta Chromosome is scientifically possible? If so will it ever be possible to prove or disprove this theory? I think rather than trying to propose an alternative biological source for the sould, Ghosh is using science to show that not everything can be known or understood. The more we know due to scientific advances, the clearer it is that we know very little.

Science and validating arguments

In every reading we have done the main focus has been on science. Within each of these readings science is portrayed as the ultimate authority, and the scale that is used to judge everything against. So does science provide the validity of arguments more so than another form of support, such as emotional or ethical support? Is science the strongest support available to an argument of any form? In the Lost World, science was given the utmost respect and the masters of science were even compared to the mighty gods on Mount Olympus. The backing of the scientific community made the professors seem like gods among mere mortals to the onlookers at the first assembly. Does science really garner this much respect from the general public? Why are people so much more likely to believe an argument if there is scientific support? What is the force behind science that allows it to make arguments so valid?

Lingua France and The Lost World

In the excerpt, Lingua Franca by Carole McDonnell, a clear distinction is made between the various caste present in the society through the use of scarves of different colors. Shadow-of-Light-Turning mentioned that Mist should still wear her green scarf that signified her as a member of the science class. There is a certain sense of pride in being associated with that particular caste. This is a sense of pride that all scientists generally possess due to their superior intellect. As a member of the science caste ones aim is not to blend in but to seek new knowledge. This caste system can also be seen in present society not to that extreme degree and in the Lost World. An example in the Lost World can be seen in the way Challenger acts throughout the novel in his manner of speech and the way he presents himself. Do you believe that the comparison is valid? If you do, are there any other examples that can be drawn from Lingua Franca or the Lost World?