Monday, April 12, 2010
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?
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I think that there is a connection between the monster and Pike, and between Victor and Dr. McCoy. The monster and Pike are both seen as less than human. When the enterprise crew first sees him they regard his injuries with disgust, just like when Victor finally viewed his living creation. Pike and the monster are on a lower social level then other humans. Victor and McCoy are both looking at highly controversial science. Creating life and understanding the human mind are very volatile topics. The creation of life ruined Victors life even though it was a great scientific achievement. McCoy has the common sense not to try and solve the mysteries of the human mind emotionally, but cares only about the biologically significant parts (the lobes associated with speech and basic function). I think there are many connections to be drawn between Star Trek and Frankenstein.
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