Intersectional Humanism and Star Trek: Discovery

Alyson R. Buckman argues that Star Trek: Discovery moves from the liberal humanism presented in the original series to an intersectional humanism by analyzing its representation of posthumanism, becoming-animal, leadership, parenting, intimacy, and trauma.

---

Intersectional Humanism and Star Trek: Discovery focuses on the shift from the liberal humanism of the Star Trek franchise to the intersectional humanism of Star Trek: Discovery. Featuring a great deal of diversity both in front of and behind the camera, Discovery affirms the guiding principle of the franchise: infinite diversity in infinite combinations. Arguing that the focus of Discovery is a connection between a variety of beings and ways of being in the world, the author analyzes the relationships among humanoids and machines, animals, and between each other as well as the representation of trauma in the series. The author finds that, while there are reversions to some of the more problematic elements of liberal humanism over the course of the series, ultimately it forms connections that will progress humanity and deepen our relationship to each other and the world around us.