We're Ash-less today, so instead of tackling a philosophy-heavy topic, we decided to have a little fun. Most geeks enjoy a variety of geeky goodness, so it's a good bet that if you're into sci-fi stuff like Star Trek, you're also likely a fan of fantasy-based themes, such as those in Dungeons & Dragons. If so, then you're familiar with their morality system, known as alignments. If not, then you're about to get educated!

Since it's one of every geek's favorite pasttimes to play the "what alignment would they be" game (and since we're no different than your average geek) we decide to start pegging our favorite (and not-so-favorite) Star Trek characters with what alignment they are considered to be. First up: The Original Series.

In preparation for this episode, we glanced at this fan-made image of alignments for the Original Series characters and used the Wikipedia article on D&D Alignments, which mostly culls from the 3rd Edition rules, to base our opinions on. Enjoy!

Many call it the worst Star Trek film. Many more call it the worst film ever. A couple of nerds in Canada call it a misunderstood masterpiece. Whatever your personal feelings toward it, you might be surprised to learn that we actually have some philosophical discussions regarding Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

The news is out! A new Star Trek series is finally on the horizon, and we're here to discuss what we know about it right now!

Virtual Reality (VR) is coming, and the Trekosophers have some thoughts & opinions about it. Of course, we've seen this happen in the 1990s as well, so will it really take off this time? And how will it compare to the holodeck?

Leonard Nimoy, 1931-2015

An excellent second-season episode of Deep Space 9 is the target of our discussion on Trekosophy this time: Paradise. Was Alixus justified in creating a society devoid of modern technology without the knowledge or consent of the colonists just to prove her theories?

…That is the question. Yes, it's time to tackle that moral delimma that Janeway was facing in the VOY episode Tuvix. Did she willfully commit murder? Or was she merely "fixing" an accident? Find out what we think as we analyze this controversial episode.

It's our first episode of 2015! (Well, it was recorded in 2014, but we'll just ignore that for now.)

We're back and tackling another original series episode, Plato's Stepchildren. It's hard to believe we've done three years of this podcast and we've only just now decided to discuss a Star Trek episode with a philosopher's name in the title! Oh, well. We're kicking off 2015 with a philosophy-heavy episode, so strap in and enjoy the ride!

Merry Christmas! For our final episode of the year/season, we discuss the only episode of Star Trek (to our knowledge) that was specifically billed as a Christmas episode—The Trouble with Tribbles. And yes, we actually do find some philosophical topics to discuss in this episode!

Continuing our discussion from the previous episode, Ben, Ash, and I count down our top 5 favorite episodes of Star Trek ever. Some of the choices are obvious while others are completely unexpected. Curious? Then check it out!

Oh, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Taking a short break from all of the heavy philosophy, we decide to finish out the season by listing (and briefly discussing) our most favorite and least favorite episodes in all of Star Trek. However, it lasted too long, so we decided to split it into two episodes. This one covers our least favorite episodes. So relax and enjoy us ranting as we scrape the bottom of the blue plastic barrel.

Actually, we're not going to talk about the Giant Ravioli Space Baby™). Instead, the topic is about the other star of the show, Dr. Leah Brahms. Specifically, we discuss the morality of using someone's image for uses of which the person might not approve. Seems like a simple enough topic, but we (actually, mostly just Ben) sure have a lot to say about it!

We're back from our super-long Summer hiatus, and we're ready to to start philosophizing again! For reasons that remain completely unknown to me at this moment, we chose to celebrate our return with… Uh, The Muse. The fourth-season Deep Space Nine episode that remains neglected by both critics and show fans alike. Hey, we could do worse… Like, Move Along Home worse… Anyway, we do have some thoughts to throw around in this episode, including (but not limited to) the effect drugs have on creativity, the temptation to become immortalized because they might increase the quality of your work, and even Odo's sincerity regarding his feelings toward Lwaxana Troi. Buckle up, it's gonna be an interesting ride!

NOTE: Due to unforeseen gaming this weekend, I wasn't able to get this episode edited and posted in time for the usual 11pm Sunday deadline. I cleared it with Ben, with whom I was gaming at the time, and he gave me the okay to edit and post it a few days later, right before we shot some infected in Left 4 Dead 2. So, here's our most recent recording, well and truly edited for you listening pleasure. This time on Trekosophy, you won't be able to get that mantra out of your head, "Edith Keeler Must Die!" Yes, we make a return visit to the philosophy of time travel—or is this our first visit? I just can't keep the local continuum straight—to discuss the TOS episode, The City on the Edge of Forever. Was Kirk right to hold back Bones from rescuing Edith Keeler? Which ethical systems agree and which disagree? Find out what we think in this episode!

Continuing our discussion from earlier, we now turn our attention to the more international aspects of spying and the ethical decisions made in the Deep Space 9 episode Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges. Sadly, said discussion becomes derailed again, but we do have quite a spirited argument on whether or not the existence of Section 31 is justifiable.

Did Dukat cross the moral event horizon line in Waltz? Find out in this interesting episode of Trekosophy!

Ben McLean's favorite Star Trek episode ever, "The Circle", gets the Trekosophy treatment today. We are Kirby-less and Bill-less this time, but we do have our guest host back, Ash Hulme, to help fill in the gap.

What originally began as a fascinating topic about Luther Sloan and Section 31 changed into a discussion about privacy, the NSA, and why most of the citizens of the United States are currently up in arms about being spied upon. It still turns out to be a very fascinating discussion, but we definitely digressed from Star Trek and Section 31. Our intentions are to return to this topic soon so we can better discuss things in a Star Trek context, but until then, enjoy the arguments for and against privacy. :~)

For this episode of Trekosophy, we discuss the very controversial TNG episode "Triangle Trade". Was Picard right in going as far as he did to bring down the Orion slave trade? Was Riker's performance as convincing as his beard's? And how about that surprise cameo at the climax! We discuss it all in this episode!

This week, we are joined by guest host Ash Hulme.  Taking a break from discussing genetic manipulation, we instead talk about Klingon philosophy again.  This time, however, we have a new perspective on the subject, so we what Ash has to bring to the table.

Continuing our discussion from last season, the Trekosophers talk about the various side effects of genetic manipulation.  More specifically, the mutants from the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 episodes "Statistical Probabilities" and "Chrysalis" are explored.  Is it worth being genetically enhanced if the risk of such side effects are so great?  Were the mutants correct about surrendering to the Dominion to save more lives?  Does it help them have better singing skills?  That's a stupid question.

Well, the alternative title was "Highway to Gre'thor".  Thank goodness good taste prevailed.  And, as the title(s) suggest, we discuss the Klingon afterlife.  More specifically, we focus on Lt. Torres' trip to the Barge of the Dead in the Star Trek: Voyager episode of the same name.  Are Klingon's beliefs in honor and the loss thereof fair or unfair?  Was the entire experience just all in her head?  And how does it all compare to our modern-day beliefs in the afterlife? UPDATE:  Seems we had some Voles chewing on the wires, so the wrong audio file was linked here.  But we put Chief O'Brien on the case, so we've got it all straightened out now.  I just hope there aren't any more nests of the buggers around.  Anyway, sorry for the inconvenience.

Welcome to 2014 and season 3 of Trekosophy!  This season premier was originally just a test of new conferencing software and recording capabilities, but we decided to make something of it, so we take the opportunity to look back on 2013 and look forward to 2014.  Even though it's February already.  Yeah, we never claimed to be punctual.

As 2013 draws to a close, we look back on…  Well, no, we just talk about the various series' endings.  Alcohol flows more freely, so we leave the philosophizing behind for this episode and just discuss our own favorite series' conclusions.  We also look more in-depth into each one, whether or not it was our favorite, and just generally have a good time discussing their good parts as well as pick apart their bad parts.  Join us for a relaxing Trek discussion on the ends of things.

Death.  Along with taxes, it's inevitable.  Join us in our discussion of the end to life as we look into the ST:VOY episode, "Emanations".

While we have discussed Khan in the past, including a different portrayal of the man, we never really discussed the ethics of genetic manipulation in general.  We rectify that oversight with this episode of #Trekosophy.  This is expected to be just the first part in a two- or three-part series on genetic manipulation, starting with the Eugenics Wars and Khan.  Future parts will focus on Dr. Julian Bashir, the four misfits from Deep Space 9, and the Jem'Hadar.

Who would have thought that such a simple creature such as the Q would give us so many opportunities to discuss philosophy?  This time, we focus on the sixth season TNG episode, "True Q", and discuss the good and the bad of having omnipotent powers.  What's so bad about being able to do what you want, including bringing back long-dead friends or family members?  Find out our thoughts in this week's Trekosophy!

Our study of the Q continuum continues with our look into the Voyager appearances of Q.  First, we discuss a little about Quinn and the much-heated debate regarding euthanasia.  For the second half, we look into Q's responsibility for his son and looking to the higher morals of Starfleet to help bring him up.

Trekosophy apologizes in advance for the poor audio quality of this episode.  Skype and international calls; what can you do? Because John de Lancie is the man, we've decided to devote at least one solid episode to his Star Trek character, Q.  Although we primarily discuss his role in Hide and Q in this episode of Trekosophy, we'll definitely be coming back to Q's other appearances throughout the Trek universe in future episodes.  For now, though, we tackle the age-old adage about power corrupting.

In our drinking age episode of the second season, the Trekosophers debate whether or not the New Essentialists' arguments are valid in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode, Let He Who Is Without Sin.  After coming to a quick resolution there, the discussion turns toward the B-story of the episode, regarding Bashir and Leeta's breakup.  Is sexual promiscuity wrong?  Does marriage mean anything in the 24th century?  Find out what we think in this week's Trekosophy!

It was Bound to happen sooner or later.  After a long time on our "to-do" list, the Trekosophy team finally decides to tackle the Hegelian analysis by watching the Enterprise season 4 episode, "Bound".  Yes, it was a difficult task having to sit through an episode with three hot Orion slave girls, but it had to be done.  Gotta make sure we understand the master-slave dialectic, right?  So we bring you our professional opinion on Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel through the Star Trek: Enterprise episode, "Bound".

Constable Odo.  The shapeshifting curmudgeon.  The changeling interested in only justice.  Oh, and Kira Nerys.  In this episode of Trekosophy, we take a look through Odo's oddly-shaped eyes to see the world as he does.  Is he an absolutist?  Is there a universal definition of justice?  Are some things absolute in the universe, or is nothing absolute?  We get philosophical as we try to see things as Odo sees them.

Sadly deficient of one Bill Allen, the rest of the crew decide to forge ahead with the topic of The Maquis.  Is their defection from the Federation justified?  At what point did they cross the line between fighting for a good cause and just fighting for the sake of killing Cardassians?  Check out the episode and find out our thoughts.  Oh, and one word of caution:  Ben dominates about 70%–80% of this episode, but his thoughts are worthwhile.

What makes a person a person?  Where does instinct end and rational thought begin?  When does Hugh stop becoming a drone and start becoming an individual?  In this excellent blend of Star Trek and philosophy, we delve into these questions as we discuss the TNG season five episode, I, Borg.

In the continuation of our discussion on free will, determinism, and compatibilism, we finally get to discuss the ethics of each one.  Well, we attempt to, at least.  The old debate about compatibilism keeps coming up, but at least it's full of philosophical goodness! NOTICE:  As with earlier, I apologize for the quality of the audio this week.  I'm afraid my computer was running a background task that was eating up so many resources that it caused skips in the recording here and there.  To keep from having to record the entire thing over again, we're releasing it as it is.  Please forgive and know that we will take steps to ensure that it will not happen again.  Thank you.

Philosophy fans rejoice!  We finally hit a really heavy topic this week with our discussion of Free Will, Determinism, and Compatibilism.  The discussion got so deep that we had to split the recording into two parts!  In this first half, we define the various terms and what they mean.  In addition, Bill challenges Ben's viewpoint that Compatibilism is a bunch of hooey.  It's all coming up on Trekosophy! NOTICE:  I apologize for the quality of the audio this week.  I'm afraid my computer was running a background task that was eating up so many resources that it caused skips in the recording here and there.  To keep from having to record the entire thing over again, we're releasing it as it is.  Please forgive and know that we will take steps to ensure that it will not happen again.  Thank you.

Revisiting the recent film one more time, just so Bill can get his rant on about the new villain.  While discussing his displeasure, we also delve into some tangential topics, such as what we'd like to see in a third Star Trek film (in the Abramsverse). WARNING!  MAJOR SPOILERS!

And, as with part one of this look into Into Darkness, we reveal spoilers.  Thus, if you haven't seen it yet, you might want to hold off listening to this podcast episode until you have.  Cheers!

Recorded a few weeks ago, the Trekosophers discuss The TOS episode, The Return of the Archons.  What were the writers attempting to get across with their use of a peaceful existence, talk of "the body," etc.?  What other body of works can be compared to this episode?  Warning:  Some seriously heavy philosophy is discussed in this one!

Attempting to stay topical, we all went to see the new Star Trek film so we could all talk about it here on the podcast.  Join us as we both praise and lambast this new film, explaining why we love it, hate it, or even—in one or two cases, at least—both! WARNING!  MAJOR SPOILERS!

If you have not seen the film, please do not listen to this podcast unless you like having your movies spoiled.  We hold nothing back in our discussion, so don't blame us if you didn't heed our warning.

Miles O'Brien just can't seem to get a break on DS9, and this seems to be most evident in season 4's episode, "Hard Time".  This "O'Brien must suffer" episode of the season brings with it many excellent moral questions that the Trekosophy hosts attempt to tackle.  No spoilers, just check out this week's podcast.

Order in the court of Trekosophy!  Yes, we investigate the courtroom drama that is Deep Space 9's Rules of Engagement.  Along with its parallels to the original series' Mark of Gideon, the Trekosophers try to determine if Ch'pok is a Kantian.  Did he lie to Sisko about the importance of the facts?  Was the Vulcan judge a utilitarian and what would have happened if she was of a different race with a different ethical system?  Give this week's episode a listen, or we'll have to convict you of…  Something.  Maybe some sort of negligence.  We'll figure it out and get back to you.

Kirby's published his book!  To celebrate, we "interview" B.T. Kirby about it, covering everything from the deep philosophical issues brought up in the book to what it's like to self-publish in this brave new world of ebooks.