Euthanasia in Star Trek.
In this episode of Meta Treks: A Star Trek
Philosophy Podcast, we debate the ethical issue of euthanasia
in Star Trek. From the flashback scene of Dr. McCoy
removing his father from life support in Star Trek V, to
the ritual suicide practices of various alien races, we examine a
variety of examples of euthanasia in Star Trek. We also
cover several key philosophical distinctions related to euthanasia,
such as the distinction between voluntary and involuntary
euthanasia and the distinction between active and passive
euthanasia, along with competing arguments for and against
euthanasia from the different moral standpoints of
consequentialism, rule-based ethics, and virtue ethics.
Chapters
Welcome to Episode 26 (00:02:02)
Greek Etymology of "Euthanasia" - "Good Death" (00:04:45)
Examples of Euthanasia in Star Trek (00:05:29)
Euthanasia in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
(00:07:51)
Motivations for Euthanasia - Ending Suffering and Preserving
Dignity (00:10:06)
Klingon Euthanasia - A Glorious Death (00:13:50)
Euthanasia and Cultural Relativism (00:18:29)
The Value of Life - Intrinsic Value vs. Instrumental Value
(00:19:55)
Voyager "Death Wish" - Is an Immortal Life Worth Living?
(00:26:13)
Voyager "Emanations" - Moral Judgments About Other
Cultures (00:33:45)
Voyager "Coda" - Euthanizing Captain Janeway
(00:40:00)
Key Distinctions - Voluntary/Involuntary Euthanasia and
Active/Passive Euthanasia (00:47:15)
Distinguishing Euthanasia, Killing, Murder, and Suicide
(00:58:04)
Final Thoughts (01:09:55)
Hosts
Mike Morrison and Zachary
Fruhling
Production
Dennis Castello (Editor and
Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) C Bryan Jones
(Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Charlynn
Schmiedt (Executive Producer) Patrick Devlin (Associate Producer)
Will Nguyen (Content Manager) Richard Marquez (Production Manager)
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