The reading listings for LRC are compiled by Dr. Hurd and can be ordered directly on the following pages through Amazon.com. Please check back again for new additions in these sections.

Star Trek

Star Trek offers a rare glimpse into a world of heroes, where the reasoning individual mind solves problems successfully and confidently. Both the old and new series are, on the whole, inspiring as well as entertaining. Although a fantasy concept, Star Trek challenges us to project ourselves into a future where individuals consistently and heroically utilize reason, instead of reliance on emotions, whims, or superstition, to solve their dilemmas.

Star Trek is no sterile glorification of technology without reference to mind. The rational mind -- that is, the individual human soul or spirit -- is the essence of what drives this show and its characters. Its themes, such as individualism vs. collectivism (in the case of the evil Borg), are both relevant and timeless. Its heroes are individuals of both intellect and action. Star Trek is as much -- or more -- a work of philosophy and psychology as a work of science fiction. If the central purpose of art and entertainment is to project life as it might be and ought to be, as the philosopher Aristotle argued, then Star Trek fulfills its mission quite well.

Psychologically, the shows are magnificently refueling. They give you a refreshing, clean sense that the human mind is efficacious and can solve problems. You will walk away from most of the movies or episodes with a feeling that competence and thought, if diligently applied, can and will conquer adversity. You will experience the sensation, "If this is where mankind can go, then this is where I can go."

Let us know your favorite episodes, and why you like them. Contact drhurd@drhurd.com. We’ll even consider posting your thoughts (anonymously or otherwise, per your request).

Just click here on "search" to access all sorts of Star Trek materials from Amazon.com.

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A website visitor writes in:

My favorite television show when I was a child was the original Star Trek. Two of my favorite episodes were "Arena" and "Amok Time".

In "Arena" Captain Kirk must fight for his survival (and the survival of his crew) against an alien beast of enormous strength. Just as it appears that the situation is hopeless, Captain Kirk uses his reasoning mind to construct a weapon which defeats his adversary and which thereby saves himself and his crew.

In "Amok Time" Captain Kirk fights his best friend and First Officer Mr. Spock as part of a Vulcan ritual. Unfortunately, he learns after the fight commences that it is a fight to the death. Dr. McCoy ingeniously creates a believable solution by injecting a medicine into the Captain which makes it seem as if he has died after combat. This allows both Mr. Spock to "win" the fight and the Captain to return to his ship where he is revived.

The "sense of life" of Star Trek (both the movies and the television shows) is one of optimism, strength, compassion and, perhaps most of all, the rational use of advanced minds and advanced technologies for the betterment of mankind and other life forms.