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Damn It Jim, I'm a Doctor, Not a "Damn it Jim, I'm a Doctor, not a ... ": An Extrapolation ofthe Societal Role and Identity ofDoctors and the Medical Profession as seen through the lens ofScience Fiction Film and Literature An Honors Thesis (HONR 499) by Samuel J Cohen Thesis Advisor Robert Benson Signed Ball State University Muncie, Indiana May2016 Expected Date of Graduation July 2016 £pCoJ} Unaer .9r Thes1 ~"? L:P f)_'-)BCJ , z 'i Abstract !),OJ(; Doctors have always been a profession of intellect and altruism, using scientific knowledge to for the wellbeing of their fellow man. Many periods ofhistory have created changes in the role of this prestigious profession in society. In the contemporary medical world, many changes are taking place that affect the form and function of the physician. Science Fiction is a genre of fictional entertainment with great speculative capability into the future of mankind. Its rich history in films beginning in the 20th century, and literature as early as the 16th century provides many examples in which authors have correctly acted as futurologists in accurately describing the world of the future. An analysis of physician characters in Science Fiction along with knowledge of the changes taking place in the modem medical world allow for conjecture into the future of the physician as a healthcare professional. ii Acknowledgements I thank Professor Robert Benson for advising me as my thesis mentor throughout the tumultuous production of this thesis. He remained with me during times of personal difficulty and his comprehensive knowledge of science fiction was invaluable. I could not have chosen a better mentor. iii Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2. Science Fiction as the genre of choice .................. ... ................... .. .. ............... .. 5 Chapter 3. Brief History of Medicine (through out real-world history) .... ...................... 15 Chapter 4. Role of the Physician (through out real-world history) .................................. 26 Chapter 5. Medicine in Science Fiction .............................................. ... .. ..... ........... .. .. .... 32 Chapter 6. The Doctor in Science Fiction: History of the Character. ............................. .41 Chapter 7. The Doctor in Science Fiction: Trends seen in the genre .. ........ .......... .......... 48 Chapter 8. The Doctor in Science Fiction: Archetype 1: Same-era doctor, new equipment . ............. .. .... ... ... ................... ......................... ............... .. .... ............................... 54 Chapter 9. The Doctor in Science Fiction: Archetype 2: Return to Mysticism ................ 63 Chapter 10. The Doctor in Science Fiction: Archetype 3: Doctor turned to Technician.71 Chapter 11. An Aside into Star Trek: Progression of the crew's Medical Doctor between series . ................... ....... ............ ........... .. ....................... ... ............................... ..................... 80 Chapter 12. The Changing Contemporary Medical World ......................... .. ............... .... 88 Chapter 13. The Modem Doctor. ..... .. ... .................................... .......... ... .......................... 93 Chapter 14. Concluding Argument. ... ..................... .. ... ............................... .... ............... 102 Chapter 15. Conclusion ............... .... .................................................... .................... .. ... .. 106 Bibliography .................... .... .. ... .... ....... .. .. ... .................. ..... ....... ....... ................... ........ .. .. llO iv Chapter 1. Introduction. A character is an element of fiction. On many occasions a character is more than just an agent to advance the plot. They are able to instill an emotion in the reader, affect the world in which the fiction exists, and therefore hold some reflexive qualities about the world over which their work of fiction presides. While fiction allows one to better perceive the current day, Science Fiction allows one to glimpse the future. Science fiction can be described as a genre of entertainment that presents an author's vision of the future of humanity. Many aspects differ from those of our present world: travel, communication, city infrastructure, medicine, food, lifestyle, music, weaponry, and technology. Thus, by analyzing the role of a profession-namely the medical doctor-in science fiction we can induce the medical world of the future, speculate about the role of the physician in the future, and examine how it relates to today's changing contemporary medical world. The intent of this thesis is to observe and analyze the role of the medical physician as it is depicted through characters of science fiction film and literature. The project will examine the presence of and trends involving the physician career in science fiction films and literature, the generally depicted archetypes of the career, and its place in the future-society. This thesis will include both film and literature in its approach to the topic, but with the emphasis on film. The modern world of medicine is changing with a divergence from the caretaking realm into more of a business-driven institution. This thesis will examine these changes taking place today. By citing science fiction films and literature as examples, it will also critique which works of science fiction extrapolate a plausible, sustainable, and (even) creative portrayal of the actual medical profession in the future of humanity. Throughout my educational experience the medical world has been intriguing as a possible future career path and throughout my life science fiction has 1 always been one of my favored genres of fiction. With regards to my college studies as a chemistry pre-medicine major, this thesis has broadened my academic scope to include and understanding of the physician career in the contemporary medical world. As an honors student, the viewing of various science fiction works has provided me with a comprehension of an explicit genre within the humanities. It allowed me a succinct glimpse into "how science fiction authors think". The thesis first begins by outlining science fiction as the choice in genre to be examined. Describing how it is a projection of the future, it accredits it as a source of futurology. A brief history of science fiction film is given, and accurate predictions made by the genre are noted. The thesis then explores some background information by examining the field of Medicine in the real world, beginning with a brief real-world history of medicine. It also points out the importance knowing this real-world history has on the understanding of the thesis. The thesis then presents the history of the physician profession and their role in the world up to modern day. The thesis then discusses medicine within the genre of science fiction. It defines worldbuilding as it is used in science fiction and expresses the importance of a well-illustrated medical infrastructure within a science fiction work. Examples of medicine in science fiction and how it is perceived are provided. Accurate medical predictions made by past works of science fiction are revealed (as well as those that have not yet been realized by today's technology). The thesis then identifies common varieties of characters within science fiction film and literature. It then evaluates the doctor character in general fiction. The thesis then indicates its place among the other characters in science fiction before identifying the significance of the role in the progression of the science fiction narrative. Commonalities between the doctor characters in various films are identified. The thesis then evaluates broader, more typical character tropes that are observed of physician characters. Following, this I present three thesis character archetypes of the physician character in science fiction film and literature. The thesis then explains the first archetype as a contemporary representation of a physician existing in a future age. Examples of this archetype are 2 provided. The thesis then elaborates on the connotations of such and archetype and evaluates the possibility of such a future doctor. The second archetype is explained as a return to past representations of a medical doctor. Examples of this character archetype are described and the science fiction subgenres in which this archetype most frequently exists are commented on. Following this, I evaluate the possibility of this extrapolation of the medical profession. The thesis goes on to define the third archetype as a product of near­ complete medical scientific knowledge resulting in a loss of humanity in the career. The thesis delivers examples of this character archetype. The thesis then comments on the probability of this physician being representative of our future doctor. In an aside I examine more deeply the series Star Trek and the varying doctors in each series installment of the show. By analyzing the progression of the Chief Medical Officer through the series', the thesis seeks to determine the meaning, if any, behind such an "evolution". Having finished its analysis of works of science fiction, the thesis then describes the modern medical world as perceived by today's professionals. It then presents the ways in which the medical world is changing and briefly touches on what imminent effects this might have on the physician. The thesis seeks to understand the modern doctor.
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