Hodgkin's Law refers to both[citation needed] "Hodgkins' Law of Parallel Planet Development", a scientific theory published by the Alpha Centauran scientist Zancmar Hodgkins (FASA RPG module: The Federation); and "Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planetary Development", a scientific theory published by the Human biologist Doctor Attanasio Ewan Hodgkin prior to 2155. T'Pau and Soval discussed Hodgkin's work when comparing Human and Vulcan cultural traits. (ENT - The Romulan War novel: Beneath the Raptor's Wing)
History and specifics[]
The noted biosociologist from Alpha Centauri proposed this law on Stardate 0/5303 which stated that similar planets develop similar lifeforms with similar cultures. After a careful study was made, the proposal was approved by the Alpha Centauri Academy of Biosciences and it was transmitted to Terra where it was received 52 months later. (FASA RPG module: The Federation)
In later years, many critics of Richard Galen's Preserver and Progenitor theories cited Hodgkins' law when they noted the widespread development of civilizations. (TOS novel: Federation)
However, by the late 24th century, the Palmieri Hypothesis was the more generally accepted of the two theories of how similar cultures arise on different planets. (SCE eBook: Fables of the Prime Directive)
In 2372, the Federation Science Council dispatched a subspace transmission to all starship commanding officers and xenoarchaeological teams with a list of recently discovered Alpha Quadrant worlds that could serve as example for Hodgkin's Law. These included Beta Ceti II, Beta Herculis I, Delta Aquivale IV, Iota Draconis III and Kornephoros V. (Star Trek Adventures module: Alpha Quadrant Sourcebook)
Known examples[]
- Beta Ceti II: Alpha Quadrant planet with proto-Vulcan natives[1]
- Beta Herculis I: Alpha Quadrant planet with Tholianesque natives[1]
- Delta Aquilae IV: Alpha Quadrant planet inhabited by Tellarite-like species with Victorian era England culture[1]
- Iota Draconis III: Alpha Quadrant planet home to a telepathic species like the Betazoids[1]
- Kornephoros V: Alpha Quadrant planet with a Human population resembling the Elasians of the Tellun star system[1]
Appendices[]
References[]
External links[]
- Hodgkin's Law article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.