Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Measure of a Man (1 of 2)

Work Title: Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Measure of a Man (1 of 2)
Medium: TV Episode
Episode Title: The Measure of a Man
Year: 1989
Writer(s): Melinda M. Snodgrass
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No

Summary:

While the USS Enterprise-D is docked at a new Starbase for routine maintenance, Commander Bruce Maddox arrives to claim Data for disassembly. Maddox was also on the commission that decades earlier determined Data's eligibility to enter Starfleet Academy; Maddox's only dissenting vote was cast on the grounds that Data, an android, was not a sentient being. Data elects to resign from Starfleet so he cannot be disassembled; however, JAG officer Philippa Louvois is persuaded to issue a preliminary ruling that Data is the property of Starfleet because he is a machine, in the same way that the Enterprise computer is, so his 'resignation' would not stop Maddox's wishes. The JAG officer drafts Commander Riker to represent the prosecution, and Captain Picard serves as Data's defense counsel. In the trial, Riker, who was ordered to do his best to prosecute Data or have the JAG Officer summarily rule against Data, presents an effective case of Data being property because he is merely a sophisticated machine. During recess, Picard is all but ready to concede until Guinan points out that a ruling against Data having rights is tantamount to sanctioning slavery. Emboldened, Picard presents his defence by arguing that Data fulfills most of Maddox's own criteria for the definition of sentience. Furthermore, he notes that creating a race of sentient beings who are legally considered property, ergo slaves, is a profound affront to the ideals and principles of the United Federation of Planets, subsequently adding that all beings are technically created, but that does not make them the property of their creators. Impressed by these arguments, the JAG officer rules that Data has the right to self-determination; he is a machine, but he is growing beyond the sum of his parts. After the trial, Riker hides away from the celebration in shame for the role he played in the trial. Data comes to tell him that he is well aware that Riker was forced to prosecute and is grateful that Riker made that sacrifice to give him a fighting chance to earn his freedom, which cheers up Riker considerably. from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Measure_of_a_Man_%28TNG_episode%29


Era/Year of Portrayal: distant_future

Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Stardate 42523.7 (c. 2365), starships use warp drive to traverse the galaxy, matter can be teleported or replicated, and the Holdeck uses a combination of matter replication and hologram technology to educate and entertain members of the Federation. Lieutenant Commander Data is one of 2 known functioning androids.


Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Lieutenant Commander Data
  • Description of the technology: Data is a fully functioning android. He simulates humanoid life in most respects, despite being mechanically manufactured and designed. Data interacts with other life forms as any other humanoid would. Most people know soemthing isn't quite right about Data, and few seems shocked when they discover he's an android. Throughout the series, data is constantly struggling to become "more human."
  • Nature of task or activity: When interacting with Data, most everyone treat him like any other sentient life form.
  • Performance of the Technology: Data works efficiently throught the episode. At one point, Riker "turns him off" and Data falls over.
  • Description of creator(s): Data was created by Doctor Noonien Sung, the foremost expert on cybernetics of the time. Sung is an elderly male, brilliant, and the only inventor to date of functioning androids like Data and his "brother" Lore.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): The reasons why Sung created Data and Lore are not revealed in this episode.
  • Description of users of technology: All living beings encountering the Enterprise can potentially interact with Data.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: Most people do not immediately recognize data as an android because for the most part he acts like any other living being.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: Data (or someone else) must usually tell someone that he is an android.
  • Valence of experience: Working with Data tends to be worthwhile. Most people are pleased with his ability to work efficiently and adroitly.
  • Specific responses: None notable
Long-term consequences:

In general, working with Data provokes good long-term experiences for everyone.

Other:

This episode is noteworthy for its discussion of whetehr or not Data is a sentient life-form. Maddox, who sees Data as an "it," claims that life-forms must have intelligence, self-awareness, and consciousness to be sentient. He admist on the witness stand that data fits the criteris for the 1st 2, and Captain Picard asserts Data may very well fit the 3rd as well. Picard also asserts that making Data the property of Starfleet will set a precendence for slavery if more androids of his ilk are eventually created. In the end, JAG officer Philippa Louvois rules Data is not property and raises the point that the real question is whether Data has a soul or not...which is a question she cannot answer because she isn't even sure if she has one either.

Coder name: Tom Polcari
Coder email: tpolcari@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA