Philosophical encouragement in Trek Lit

[bennyrex]

I've started this thread as a bit of a balance to the one about philosophical disagreements to concepts in TrekLit. My response in that thread got me thinking about Orion's Hounds, the first Fiction book I've read that had me jumping up and down and bugging my friends because of the philosophical and moral underpinnings of the book.

I have never read any work of fiction before that I found so encouraging and affirming about what I believe is important in the world. Seeing the characters struggle on so many different levels to live with each other and be together within their differences. I found it incredibly affirming, and it's bolstered my desire to live my life seeking strength in diversity, and trying to be a peacemaker.

I always appreciate and love the concept of IDIC, but I can't think of any other book that has portrayed it so clearly, in showing the difficulties inherent in the concept, but showing those difficulties overcome as well.

I loved the deliberate effort towards active peacemaking and non-violent solutions, and the strong message of the importance of forgiveness.

What made the book even more enjoyable for me was that I wasn't expecting this at all. I was expecting an exploration-heavy book focused mainly on hard science. Which I guess it sort of was... but I wasn't expecting to be so encouraged, to be so juiced up by seeing the concepts that matter most to me raised up and shown to be very good, and worth pursuing.

What Star Trek books have you read that made you say 'Yeah! That's how I see things. This story's on the same track as me!'?

 

[Christopher]

I've started this thread as a bit of a balance to the one about philosophical disagreements to concepts in TrekLit. My response in that thread got me thinking about Orion's Hounds, the first Fiction book I've read that had me jumping up and down and bugging my friends because of the philosophical and moral underpinnings of the book.

I have never read any work of fiction before that I found so encouraging and affirming about what I believe is important in the world. Seeing the characters struggle on so many different levels to live with each other and be together within their differences. I found it incredibly affirming, and it's bolstered my desire to live my life seeking strength in diversity, and trying to be a peacemaker.

Thank you. That's the sort of thing a writer dreams of hearing -- that something I wrote actually made a positive difference in someone's life. I'm honored.

 

[JD]

There have been alot of concepts and ideas that the current Trek series have been dealing with that I have really liked. From the exploration of diversity and cooperation in Titan, to the religion and family issues in the DS9 books, to the impact of secrets and coverups in Vanguard. So keep up the good work guys!

 

[HIj'Qa]

The early novel The IDIC Epidemic deals with IDIC more directly than philosophically, but given it is a different era in trek Lit, it is a good exporation of the concept.

Diane Duane's novels populated the Enterprise with with a diverse crew and I like reading about them all pulling together.

 

[Rabid Trekkie]

I pretty much can't pick up something with Star Trek written on it without getting some kind of encouragement. The whole idea behind the Federation and the general outlook of the series and characters is just encouraging and uplifting.

But the one that stands out to me the most is Spock's World by Diane Duane. Her idea that the Vulcan's know that God exists and yet can still be completely logical and rational was a nice change of pace from the general idea that one can't be smart and religious/spiritual at the same time. And not only that but not everyone agrees with each other. At the time it was a nice change of pace from some of the other sci-fi I was reading at the time.

Also I agreed with a lot of Garak's outlook on life in A Stitch in Time.

 

[Dancing Doctor]

I think one thing that encourages me is how positive Trek shows the future can be. In most other sci-fi universes, it's so dystopic and dreary. Hell, the current Star Wars books made me *really* depressed at how dark things had become. And apart from the Dominion War, most of Trek is exploring and communicating with others. It gives me assurances that things *will* be better, especially in times like now.

And I'm also assured at how incredible the Federation is. Even on screen it's awesome, but the Trek authors have managed to flesh it out beyond what's been displayed. The fact that it remains so open and democratic is a bonus.

 

[Wowbagger]

In general, Trek is a philisophically uplifiting series.

In specific, I was about to write an ode to Orion's Hounds myself, but the OP seems to have me covered.

 

[Sci]

One of Star Trek's biggest assets, I'd argue, is its ability to depict darkness and despair and terror, and to question the viability of ideals and morals... and yet to, when all is said and done, continue to affirm that a better future is possible and that it is within human choice to make our world a better place. The best of Star Trek is a comedy, in the classical sense of the term: Something that begins in darkness and ends in light.