The trial of commander data

Abstract

This paper’s aim is to explore the moral topics raised in the TV series “Star Trek: The Next Generation” Season 2 Episode 9 entitled “Measure of Man”. In this episode Commander Data, an Android, is put on trial to determine if can be considered human, or if he has the same rights as a human being. This paper discusses ethical issues raised by this trial. Picard’s argument in defence of Data appeals to epistemological doubts about whether or not Data is sentient. But this paper will take an alternative approach. It will show how inanimate objects can also possess a value which demand ethical obligations from sentient beings. It will also show how the trial reflects back on human morality and the measure of man refers less to the audience and more to the human beings conducting and observing the trial.