this post was submitted on 24 May 2025
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TenForward: Where Every Vulcan Knows Your Name
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So there is another aspect of the Prime Directive that isn't discussed as much, and that's that it also exists not just in this paternalistic sense, but also as a reminder that we don't always know what is right.
It's best explored in the TNG episode "The Masterpiece Society" (S05E13). In short the Enterprise is tracking a star fragment and realizes that it's path is going to cause harm to a nearby planet. They then discover an isolationist Human society lives on this planet. This society is isolationist because it's been designed to be perfect, with no need for outside assistance. Begrudgingly they're forced to admit that without the Enterprise's help they'll die.
Geordi has the most memorable line. After trying to find a solution and save the planet he chuckles and says, "Oh, that's perfect. If the answer to all of this is in a VISOR created for a blind man who never would have existed in your society."
The planet consisted of a society who thought they knew everything. They had perfectly designed a perfect society. If Star Fleet behaved this way, if the Prime Directive didn't need to exist because Star Fleet always knew the correct answer, what would they get wrong?
In many cases Star Fleet captains don't just let planets and societies die, they try to find a way to ensure they can continue to evolve and advance naturally. Yes, not interfering in some ways could be viewed as paternalistic. But there is another view, if we force our beliefs on another society, what do we lose? Now the reverse could also be true. If we don't save a society, what do we lose? No matter what Star Fleet chooses to do or not do, there is a risk. So Star Fleet drew a line, warp technology. Technically the Vulcan's drew the line, but it had sound logic and was adopted by Star Fleet.
But importantly it's an understanding that we don't know everything. It's not an idea of superiority, it's admittance someone or something out there might know more or be more advanced and to interfere would be a mistake.
I like that story because it shows how important it is to take as many perspectives into consideration as possible. True, we don't know everything and I would argue, this isn't about knowing more than others in a linear/hierarchical sense, but the whole knows more than the sum of its parts. It's crucial to take the local perspective into consideration and the paternalistic aspect of the prime directive isn't necessarily the conclusion itself but jumping to conclusion without involving the locals. This makes it more complex than it might sound since the locals aren't a monolith. But every decision is paternalistic unless you are willing to really listen to those affected.