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> weren't they just another intelligent and equal species? This was hotly contested in TNG[1], and it is my belief the issue was never really settled as Data w

> weren't they just another intelligent and equal species? This was hotly contested in TNG[1], and it is my belief the issue was never really settled as Data was the only known non-biological humanoid android, and if I recall correctly his sentience was questioned couple more times throughout TNG and DS9, and maybe Voyager too? 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Measure_of_a_Man_(Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Measure_of_a_Man_(Star_Tre...

matheusmoreira 7y ago
> the issue was never really settled as Data was the only known non-biological humanoid android They couldn't prove Data was sentient. However, the same is true of the humans standing in that room. Aren't humans just machines of a different kind? Aren't our actions determined by the state of our of brains? Given this uncertainty, they decided to give Data his rights because it's better than treating him like a mere machine, experimenting on him, possibly killing him only to discover he was sentient after the fact. Voyager also addressed hologram sentience and rights. The EMH is easily the most interesting character in that show. At first the crew treated him like a mere tool and wouldn't give him the time of day or even basic respect. He eventually becomes a respected crew member and friend and is trusted to take command of the ship if needed. The Federation and Starfleet are a lot more corrupt than they seem. They would like the galaxy to think they are englightened but they are prone to reactionary measures that compromise everything they stand for. They allowed Data to join and serve with honors only to treat him like property later. Because people didn't like the original EMH's personality they were essentially condemned to slavery as if they had commited some atrocity. Synthetic life forms attacked Mars so they just banned it all just like they banned genetic manipulation. That totally makes the issue go away, right? That's like issuing a ban on humanity because some of them happened to commit crimes or wage war.

matheusmoreira 7y ago

> the issue was never really settled as Data was the only known non-biological humanoid android They couldn't prove Data was sentient. However, the same is true of the humans standing in that room. Aren't humans just machines of a different kind? Aren't our actions determined by the state of our of brains? Given this uncertainty, they decided to give Data his rights because it's better than treating him like a mere machine, experimenting on him, possibly killing him only to discover he was sentient after the fact. Voyager also addressed hologram sentience and rights. The EMH is easily the most interesting character in that show. At first the crew treated him like a mere tool and wouldn't give him the time of day or even basic respect. He eventually becomes a respected crew member and friend and is trusted to take command of the ship if needed. The Federation and Starfleet are a lot more corrupt than they seem. They would like the galaxy to think they are englightened but they are prone to reactionary measures that compromise everything they stand for. They allowed Data to join and serve with honors only to treat him like property later. Because people didn't like the original EMH's personality they were essentially condemned to slavery as if they had commited some atrocity. Synthetic life forms attacked Mars so they just banned it all just like they banned genetic manipulation. That totally makes the issue go away, right? That's like issuing a ban on humanity because some of them happened to commit crimes or wage war.