Spoilers "Measure of a man": I really dislike that the secular world of Star Trek they speak of "soul" as a requirement to prove that a being deserve freedom

[Tosk]

The Search for Spock used the S-word first (in this context).

And TOS did it first before that. Kirk saying that Landru did not have a soul.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Part of the charm of Trek, for me, is in the diversity of storytelling. If I want a legal show I can just go watch a legal show.

It can be a legal drama one week. A story on medical ethics the next week. And horror the week after that.

 

[XCV330]

Many consider "Measure of a Man" to be one of the best Star Trek episodes. While I appreciate the actors' great performances, I'm a little less enthusiastic.

A quick recap: Data is ordered to undergo a dangerous experiment that could destroy his personality and memories. Data refuses and decides to resign from Starfleet.

A legal hearing is held to determine whether Data is a person with the right to make his own choices, or simply Starfleet property. Captain Picard argues that Data is a sentient being and that treating him as property could lead to the creation of an entire race of artificial slaves. The discussion up to that point had largely focused on what it means to be sentient and whether Data fit the definition. Before the hearing, the JAG had ruled against Data, saying he (it?) was Star Fleet property based on the "Cumberland Acts."

At the end of the hearing, no new facts had emerged compared to the beginning. A definitive definition of sentience had not been reached. It had not been proven whether Data fit into it or not.

Then the JAG does this bizarre spech:



Woman. What. The. Heck. You are talking about?!?

This is so wrong on so many levels that I don't know where to begin.

1. We don't know how to precisely define sentience, let alone a soul.

Vulcans do. They keep the silly things in jars, sometimes.