Psychology of Trek

[Bibbly]

Hi there all. I am new to this BBS. I am a provisional psychologist working as a therapeutic counsellor. I work with a wide range of clients using many Jungian models. I am getting to the trek question

I am trying to compile a video library of clips from the series and movies of Vulcan wisdom on the topic of the lack of emotionality and the advantages of emotionality.

As the vulcan race has developed a culture of low to zero emotionality they are fascinating as a therapeutic archetype. I think the data character also serves to exemplify the same restricted affect, acting as a counter point from which to examine ones own emotionality.

I have some good ones from the episode Sarek TNG and a good discussion from the new star trek movie. Does anyone know where the other gems might be.

Thanks

 

[Finn]

Welcome.

First of all, vulcans all have emotions, or they wouldn't try to talk people into being logical. They don't allow it control their judgement.

 

[T'Preen]

Yes, Vulcans have emotions and acknowledge this - they simply endeavor to master their emotions in favor of a more logical state of mind.

In regards to your question, the Enterprise season one episode "Fusion" comes to mind. It is about a group of Vulcans called the V'tosh ka'tur ("Vulcans without logic") who come aboard the Enterprise. The V'tosh ka'tur seek to achieve balance between their emotions and logic rather than try to completely master their feelings as mainstream Vulcans do. I am not entirely sure if that is what you are looking for, but I hope it is helpful.

 

[T'Preen]

Yes, Vulcans have emotions and acknowledge this - they simply endeavor to master their emotions in favor of a more logical state of mind.

In regards to your question, the Enterprise season one episode "Fusion" comes to mind. It is about a group of Vulcans called the V'tosh ka'tur ("Vulcans without logic") who come aboard the Enterprise. The V'tosh ka'tur seek to achieve balance between their emotions and logic rather than try to completely master their feelings as mainstream Vulcans do. I am not entirely sure if that is what you are looking for, but I hope it is helpful.

 

[T'Preen]

Sorry for the double post. That was an accident.

 

[C.E. Evans]

The TNG episode "Unification, part 2" contains a brief scene in which Spock and Data are discussing their differences--Spock rejecting the emotions which Data has been long striving for...

 

[T'Preen]

Spock could be an interesting subject because of his constant internal conflict between his human and vulcan halves - always striving to suppress his "inferior" human side. There was a scene in the first movie after Spock mind melded with V'Ger when he is in sick bay and for the first time realizes that pure logic is not desirable after all and comes to find peace within himself and balance between logic and emotion. It is one of my favorite Spock moments.

 

[Gojira]

Hi there all. I am new to this BBS. I am a provisional psychologist working as a therapeutic counsellor. I work with a wide range of clients using many Jungian models. I am getting to the trek question

I am trying to compile a video library of clips from the series and movies of Vulcan wisdom on the topic of the lack of emotionality and the advantages of emotionality.

As the vulcan race has developed a culture of low to zero emotionality they are fascinating as a therapeutic archetype. I think the data character also serves to exemplify the same restricted affect, acting as a counter point from which to examine ones own emotionality.

I have some good ones from the episode Sarek TNG and a good discussion from the new star trek movie. Does anyone know where the other gems might be.

Thanks

As a therapist I have mixed emotions about logical Vulcans. I support and work with Cognitive Behavioral techniques and theories. I do support in being rational in our thinking yet feel that being human we need to balance our thoughts and emotions. We will never be emotionless.

Also, here in the US I think the cultural Zeitgeist is to suppress and not talk about our feelings. Many clients struggle with feelings of guilt and shame over how they feel.

So the Vulcans can be both a positive and a negative role model.

 

[WillsBabe]

I am trying to compile a video library of clips from the series and movies of Vulcan wisdom on the topic of the lack of emotionality and the advantages of emotionality.
Thanks

You could look at This Side of Paradise for the advantages of emotionality, at least on those who care for those "without" emotions.

 

[Nightdiamond]

Dr. Mccoy's speech to Spock from "Requiem for Methuselah" :

McCoy: You wouldn't understand that, would you, Spock? You see, I feel sorrier for you than I do for (Jim)...because you'll never know the things that love can drive a man to: the ecstasies, the miseries, the broken rules, the desperate chances, the glorious failures, the glorious victories.

All of these things you'll never know...simply because the word "love" isn't written into your book. Good night, Spock.

Spock: Good night, Doctor.

Pretty deep, one of the things I liked about T.O.S.

 

[Captrek]

Journey to Babel should be a good source, particularly Spock’s conversation with Amanda explaining his decision not to relinquish command.

Starts at about 8:33 here.

Particularly note the following exchange:

AMANDA: Well, I don't. It's not human. That's not a dirty word. You're human, too. Let that part of you come through. Your father's dying.
SPOCK: Mother, how can you have lived on Vulcan so long, married a Vulcan, raised a son on Vulcan, without understanding what it means to be a Vulcan?
AMANDA: If this is what it means, I don't want to know.
SPOCK: It means to adopt a philosophy, a way of life, which is logical and beneficial. We cannot disregard that philosophy merely for personal gain, no matter how important that gain might be.
AMANDA: Nothing is as important as your father's life.
SPOCK: Can you imagine what my father would say if I were to agree, if I were to give up command of this vessel, jeopardise hundreds of lives, risk interplanetary war, all for the life of one person?

The Galileo Seven is also a good source of material, such as the following:

MCCOY: I can't believe you're serious about leaving someone behind. Now whatever it is that's out there
SPOCK: It is more rational to sacrifice one life than six, Doctor.
MCCOY: I'm not talking about rationality.
SPOCK: You might be wise to start.
BOMA: (looking in from outside) Mister Spock. we're ready.
SPOCK: For what?
BOMA: The services for Latimer.
SPOCK: Mister Boma, we're working against time.
BOMA: The man's dead. He deserves a decent burial. You're the captain. A few words.
SPOCK: Doctor, perhaps you know the correct words for such an occasion.
MCCOY: Mister Spock, that's your place.
SPOCK: My place is here. If you please, Doctor.
MCCOY: Now look. We may all die here. At least let us die like men, not machines.
SPOCK: By dealing with first things first, I hope to increase our chances of staying alive.

 

[Anji]

Welcome Aboard, Bibbly!

You were looking for some gems of Vulcan Ideology? I've got a few.

I suggest TOS "Galileo Seven" where Spock is in command for the first time and struggles to keep his wits about him among a group of panacing human crew members.

Also the TOS movie "The Voyage Home" where Spock said the sentence that gave me an entirely different perspective on being a human: "Only human arrogance assumes the message must be meant for them."

Good luck with your research

 

[YARN]

Hi there all. I am new to this BBS. I am a provisional psychologist working as a therapeutic counsellor. I work with a wide range of clients using many Jungian models. I am getting to the trek question

I am trying to compile a video library of clips from the series and movies of Vulcan wisdom on the topic of the lack of emotionality and the advantages of emotionality.

As the vulcan race has developed a culture of low to zero emotionality they are fascinating as a therapeutic archetype. I think the data character also serves to exemplify the same restricted affect, acting as a counter point from which to examine ones own emotionality.

I have some good ones from the episode Sarek TNG and a good discussion from the new star trek movie. Does anyone know where the other gems might be.

Thanks

Hmmm, are you working with older folks? TOS is not exactly a pop-cultural touchstone anymore.

Spock is less a Jungian archetype and more of an expression of Enlightenment Rationalism. He is a direct descendant of the likes of Descartes, Kant, Locke, and Bentham. That is, you might profit more by considering Spock as an historical/contingent outgrowth of modernism.

Also, it is misleading to state that Vulcans have a culture of low/no emotionaility. Vulcans are complicated creatures. They are, in a sense, even more emotional than humans, and struggle to remain balanced. Vulcans have to suppress emotions, where humans can more comfortably engage in the equilibrium dynamics of balancing intuition, emotion, and metaphorical images with/against the strictly rational faculties of mind. Check out "Amok Time" to check out the ritualized irrationality that is also a part of their culture.

Finally, if you are interested in integrating these archetypes, conisder comparing the chariot allegory in the Phaedrus to the triad of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy.