Roddenberrys Vision of Epistemology :: essays research papers

The television series Star Trek mystifying Space 9 takes stern on a space station where different planets cultures, morals and religious values collide. These differences cause the conflicts that form the basis of the stories. Some people in these cultures jumper lead very nominalistic lifestyles, while others are more realistic and extremely devout in their beliefs in their Gods. These differences can be seen in episodes such as In The Hands of the Prophets, The Abandoned, or Life Support. The struggle between nominalism and realism has been a familiar idea on earth ever since the theme of a God was introduced. This same struggle will always exist forever unless there is some definitive proof of God. The more realist ideas of Descartes and John Locke assist in ones understanding of Star Treks themes. Descartes and Lockes epistemological philosophies are reflected in the philosophical aspect of Gene Roddenberrys ideal society.As Star Treks creator, Gene Roddenberry has had a huge military group on the philosophical beliefs reflected in the manoeuvre. Most episodes are a direct mirror image of his thoughts. Since he was a teenager, Roddenberry strongly questioned the validity of religion and became an freethinker in The Humanist Interview, he said religion was largely nonsense largely magical, superstitious things. In my own teen life, I just couldnt see any point in adopting something based on magic, which was obviously phony and superstitious.i When commenting on his prototypal experiences doubting religion. His views on religion first appeared on Star Trek The Original Series when he refused to have a chaplain aboard the starship Enterprise. Since that early point, Roddenberry rarely addressed the issue of religion. Deep Space 9, the first series that he did not produce, developed episodes using religious themes. Although Roddenberry did not directly influence this series, his beliefs about realism and nominalism however utilise in the episodes. Ev en though Roddenberry was a humanist, he did not completely reject all religions or the people who followed them. Tolerance was one of his best traits, and it was communicate in Deep Space 9, through the large diversity of species and religions and the deep personalities of their members. Even though most species did not believe in each others religions, they were still able to learn from each other. While the religions found in Star Trek are fictional, they still contain value, both to the other characters on the show as well as to the viewers.

Bacons Rebellion Essay -- essays research papers

Bacons Rebellion"Where we do well know that all our causes will be im splitially perceive andequally justice administered to all men," as stated by, Nathaniel Bacon. 1 In1676 an uprising known as Bacons Rebellion occurred in Virginia. The immediatecause of this come down was the dissension between the planters and the Indians.Because Sir William Berkeley, the Governor of Virginia had willingly deniedsupport to the farmers, Bacon assumed leadership of an unauthorized expeditionagainst the Indians. When Bacon learned that Governor Berkeley was rising aforce against him, he turned away from the Indians to fight with Berkley. Thishad now become a serious problem for the governor. When news of this revolt hadreached King Charles II, it alarmed him so that he dispatched cardinal hundredtroops to Virginia, recalled his governor, and appointed a commission todetermine the causes of the dissatisfaction. Bacons Rebellion is considered tobe the most important event in the establishm ent of democracy in colonialAmerica because the right to vote and social equality were denied to the farmersby the local government.     The right to vote is a small but crucial part of the democracy. Duringthe first half of the 17th century the farmers on the plantations in Virginiawere not able to exercise their right to vote. The only people that were ableto vote during this metre were the wealthy men who owned land. Overall thecolonists had not been treate...