This is the mojority of an amazing speech given by Kirk to Bones in in episode 20 of Season 2 "Return to Tomorrow." And for all those that think Star Trek is a show completely devoid of deeper meaning or context, read this journal.
The
Enerprise and her crew have just encountered species that are significantly more advanced than us, though all that's left is their mind in the form of pure energy because of an intense cataclysm that rendered their planet life less. They are requestiong the use of Kirk's body, along with Spock's and another crewman, to build artificial bodies of their own so they can leave their barren planent after a half million years. These being are willing to give mankind all of their knowledge in order to help the continuation of the humans and the Federation. Everyone who is high enough up to be impacted by this (all the previous characters plus Montgomery "Scotty" Scott) are willing to do this, except for McCoy, who finds the whole idea of them using the Captain's and the Second-in-Command's body too risky. Now that you know the basic layout of the plot so far, here's the speech:
McCoy: “I still want one question answered to my satisfaction: Why!? Not a list of possible miracles, but a simple, basic, understandable ‘why’ that overrides all danger. Let’s not kid ourselves that there’s no potential danger in this.”
Kirk: “They used to say that if man could fly he’d have wings. But he did fly. He discovered he had to. Do you wish that the first Apollo mission hadn’t reached the moon, or that we hadn’t gone on to Mars then to the nearest star? That’s like saying you wish that you still operated with scalpels and sewed your patients up with cat gut like your great-great-great-great-grandfather used to. I’m in command; I could order this but I’m not because Doctor McCoy is right in pointing out the enormous danger potential in any contact with life and intelligence as fantastically advanced as this!! But I must point out that the possibilities, the potential, the knowledge, the advancement is equally great! Risk, risk is our business! That’s what a star ship is all about! That’s why we’re aboard her!”
On a unrelated note, the journal skins aren't being sponsered anymore so I have to go back to the boring green one.
STAR TREK ON MYTHBUSTERS
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