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."

Star Trek: The Next Generation, is arguably the best of the series. However, I recommend all of the series--the original Star Trek series; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Voyager; and Star Trek: Enterprise. I also recommend the movies prior to 2009. The latest movie, released in 2009, did not live up to the best of the previous series and movies. Although well-performed, it operated on a "post-modern" theme and tried to change both the essence of the characters and their values. For example, an aged Mr. Spock was seen denouncing thought in favor of emotions; a young Jim Kirk was portrayed as a drunken, irresponsible youth who accidentally stumbled his way into greatness; and the forces of evil clearly had the edge over the power of rationality and integrity, as the ending clearly and regrettably demonstrated.