The Prime Directive — the guiding principle of the United Federation of Planets in the fictitious universe of Star Trek — prohibits Starfleet personnel from interfering with the internal development of alien civilizations. According to this entry in Wikipedia, however, the Prime Directive “is inconsistently applied, depending on a planet’s strategic importance or the circumstances in which a starship crew finds itself.” (Is this not true of most forms of law?) So, is the Prime Directive a mere guideline or a solemn duty? If the latter, what is the penalty for non-compliance? Also, should the Prime Directive apply here and now to anthropologists, religious missionaries, etc. on Earth?

But is it logical?