It’s the season two episode of Voyager that’s stirred the controversy pot for close on 25 years since it first aired in the 90’s. As Trekzone’s editor I lamented the lack of follow up – much like many other cases – to this morally questionable decision by Captain Janeway.

So – to begin Trekzone Features – lets delve deeper into the various ethical and moral questions and explore the implications they have on our understanding of justice, morality, and humanity.

The Star Trek franchise has always been known for its exploration of complex ethical and philosophical issues. One of the most compelling examples of this exploration is the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Tuvix,” which aired during the show’s second season.

In this episode, a transporter accident merges two crew members, Tuvok and Neelix, into a single being, Tuvix. While Tuvix possesses the memories and experiences of both Tuvok and Neelix, he has a distinct personality and identity that is separate from either of his component parts.

As the crew of Voyager works to find a way to separate Tuvok and Neelix from Tuvix, a dilemma arises: should they attempt to separate Tuvix back into his component parts, or should they allow him to continue to exist as a separate being with his own rights and autonomy?

This dilemma raises a host of ethical and philosophical questions, including questions about the nature of personal identity, the role of society in promoting the well-being of others, and the importance of memory in shaping our sense of self and our understanding of the world around us.

In this feature, we will explore the ethical and philosophical implications of Tuvix’s case in depth, examining the various perspectives and arguments presented in the episode and the broader implications of this case for our understanding of justice, morality, and humanity.

Part 2 – coming next Monday…