Vulcan Philosophy

[Temis the Vorta]

In the Star Trek universe, and indeed on Vulcan, logic and emotion are opposites. One is a strength, and the other a diametrically opposed weakness.

It's just in Vulcan philosophy that logic and emotion are "opposites" and that emotion is "weakness." I think it's important to understand that this attitude doesn't really stem from any sort of philosophical underpinning so much as it is pragmatic and based on Vulcan physiology.

With much stronger and more violent emotions than humans, Vulcans had to devise an adaptation that would create enough peaceful public space to allow them to have any kind of society at all.

Emotions are a weakness for them. Making a fetish of logic and devising a philosophical underpinning for it is essential for them. It doesn't mean that it has much relevance to humans, Klingons or Andorians, whose physiology doesn't require it. So, for starters, Vulcan philosophy doesnt need to be assumed to be universal, and it doesn't need to be applicable to any of us.

 

[Anticitizen]

I disagree, i think 1+1= 2 is going to be a constant no matter where you go.

So long as your definition of 2 is the sum of 1 and 1.

 

[Sky]

May I recommend firstly the thorough reading of Diane Duane's excellent "bible" on the subject of the origin and truth of Vulcan logic: Spock's World. Here is the basis for all you will need to achieve a depth of the truly wonderful exposition of Duane's.

Peace and long life.

I agree with this. Duane's book explains the history and philosophy of Surak very well.

"The spear in the Other's heart
is the spear in your own:
you are he.

There is no other wisdom
and no other hope for us
but that we grow wise."

 

[Anticitizen]

Hello, Gizmodo/io9 readers!

 

[T'Girl]

emotion is "weakness."

It might be more accurate for a Vulcan to think emotion is dangerous. If I ever let go of the tight rein of control that I maintain over my emotions and myself on a second by second basis, I could easily harm the people around me. Emotion is dangerous.

IVulcan philosophy as set down by Surak

During the time peroid of the series Enterprise the philosophy of Surak was not widely held, so the behavior of the Vulcans we saw on (the series) Enterprise could not be attributed to Surak. The Vulcans were socially reserved, personally superior, condescending outside their group. But also very rational and intelligent. Apparently avoiding meat isn't primarily a Surak teaching, although he might have endorsed it. Experiencing Pon Farr was an ongoing condition prior to assuming the teachings, not a result of them, as some fans believe.

Examining the behavior of Spock and Tuvok, their every move isn't governed by the teaching, some to be sure, but not all. Surak did not reorder the entire Vulcan culture.

 

[Rek]

One thing that always bothered me about Vulcan Philosophy, is the fans and/or haters of Vulcans who point out every flaw in logic or emotional choices Vulcans have made that doesn't fit what their supposedly suppose to do.

Vulcans try to be logical, but their not always on the mark. Just like any other living thing they make mistakes. They may slip up and do somthing based on emotion, but to them thats a weakness. So to put it simply, sometimes Vulcans have weak moments, and a shocker here - so does everyone else. Their not perfect.

 

[indolover]

One thing I've never understood about the Vulcans is that logic is subjective. People use logic for different ends.

The part that makes sense to me is that Vulcans only are logical since being emotive tore their society apart.