Memory Beta, non-canon Star Trek Wiki

A friendly reminder regarding spoilers! At present the expanded Trek universe is in a period of major upheaval with the finale of Picard and the continuations of Discovery, Lower Decks, Prodigy and Strange New Worlds, the advent of new eras in Star Trek Online gaming, as well as other post-56th Anniversary publications such as the new ongoing IDW comic. Therefore, please be courteous to other users who may not be aware of current developments by using the {{spoiler}}, {{spoilers}} or {{majorspoiler}} tags when adding new information from sources less than six months old. Also, please do not include details in the summary bar when editing pages and do not anticipate making additions relating to sources not yet in release. 'Thank You

READ MORE

Memory Beta, non-canon Star Trek Wiki
Register
Advertisement

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[]

Appendices[]

References[]

External links[]

Advertisement