Analysis: The Measure Of A Man

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In the episode "The Measure of a Man", Commander Maddox walks onto the Starship Enterprise and makes a request to perform an experiment on the android named Data. During Maddox 's visit, it becomes clear his plans center on shutting down Data’s memory base. Furthermore, Maddox wants to make sure that his actions will prevent Data from being able to ascertain how scientists were able to create him. Although Maddox promises Data that all of his memory and features will be restored, Data feels like he will not be the same after the examination. As a result, Data refuses to proceed. However, Maddox states that Data is Starfleet property, and he cannot resign from the assignment.
Since Data is a representation of a human, he feels that he should be given the same rights as a human being. Captain Picard agrees with Data and helps him fight for his rights. As a result of the conflict, Captain Picard, Data, Commander Riker, Commander Maddox, and a judge attend a hearing …show more content…

Unfortunately, that human figure represented in a hologram will never be able to come back from death in the physical sense. Data is an android created to demonstrate the intelligence of human society. In the episode "Datalore", Data told one of the doctors that he has an on/off switch on his back, which allows him the ability to power on and off. Data keeps the switch a secret because he feels that the power button could be used towards his demise if he ever over steps his boundaries as an intelligent android. In the episode "The Measure of a Man", Commander Riker tries to prove during the hearing that Data was a computer by turning him off by his power switch. Although his wired insides did not persuade the judge that he was not a human, Data proceeded to show the judge that just because his body parts are capable of being unscrewed, this does not mean that his internal makeup will ever

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