the prime directive
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 1:53 pm
So I found myself in the middle of a real life conflict this month and wasn't sure what to do, so I was inspired to consult the Holy Scriptures, specifically the Book of Picard.
In "Redemption", Captain Picard finds himself in a Klingon civil war, even receiving a distress call from the ship of the legitimate leader of the Empire, and what does he do? "Plot a course safely away from the combat area. Half impulse. [.....] Engage" (Picard 4:26)
Why does he do this? Why is it the correct course of action for him? For me?
He does it to avoid being dragged into that war. This, of course, keeps the Federation out of a war which is desirable itself! But it also keeps the Federation out of Klingon politics. If the Enterprise were involved in rigging an election so their preferred candidate would win, we'd prolly clearly see this as being exactly the kind of thing the prime directive was meant to prevent, manipulating some other culture for their own imperialistic benefit. Surely manipulating the political process with photon torpedoes is even worse!
While Gowron might be the leader, I think it is questionable for the Federation to get involved in putting down ANY rebellion, armed or not, with force, but doubly so in the case of the Klingons, where such battles are a part of their process, for better or for worse. It isn't exactly the same as an honorable duel in the council chambers, but it kinda is the same idea.
Well, is it the right choice for me in my real life? Of course, we ought always seek to emulate the true path of Picard! Case closed.
but even beyond that being involved in an interpersonal feud isn't fun in any case and sometimes people need to make their own mistakes to learn. or not learn, in which case i wanna be well clear of the pain. so yeah shields up... and move us safely away from the combat area.
In "Redemption", Captain Picard finds himself in a Klingon civil war, even receiving a distress call from the ship of the legitimate leader of the Empire, and what does he do? "Plot a course safely away from the combat area. Half impulse. [.....] Engage" (Picard 4:26)
Why does he do this? Why is it the correct course of action for him? For me?
He does it to avoid being dragged into that war. This, of course, keeps the Federation out of a war which is desirable itself! But it also keeps the Federation out of Klingon politics. If the Enterprise were involved in rigging an election so their preferred candidate would win, we'd prolly clearly see this as being exactly the kind of thing the prime directive was meant to prevent, manipulating some other culture for their own imperialistic benefit. Surely manipulating the political process with photon torpedoes is even worse!
While Gowron might be the leader, I think it is questionable for the Federation to get involved in putting down ANY rebellion, armed or not, with force, but doubly so in the case of the Klingons, where such battles are a part of their process, for better or for worse. It isn't exactly the same as an honorable duel in the council chambers, but it kinda is the same idea.
Well, is it the right choice for me in my real life? Of course, we ought always seek to emulate the true path of Picard! Case closed.
but even beyond that being involved in an interpersonal feud isn't fun in any case and sometimes people need to make their own mistakes to learn. or not learn, in which case i wanna be well clear of the pain. so yeah shields up... and move us safely away from the combat area.