Borg Philosophy

"Why do you resist? We only wish to raise quality of life, for all species."

"I like my 'species' the way it is!"

"A narrow vision."

- Locutus of Borg, Worf (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II")

The philosophy of the Borg Collective can be summarized as a determination to use any methods necessary in order to pursue a perceived state of perfection. Toward this end, the Borg, originating as wholly organic lifeforms, augment themselves, beginning just after birth, with synthetic systems and organs, allowing them to achieve heights of physical and intellectual capacity undreamt of by most purely biological species. Assimilation, occasionally of individuals but regularly on a mass scale, of other lifeforms whose physiologically and technologically distinct advantages they deem remarkable, is undertaken in order to acquire those traits and distribute them to all throughout the Collective. In so doing, the Borg seek to bring both themselves and those assimilated closer to perfection. (TNG: "Q Who"), (Star Trek: First Contact)

The Borg view the significant practical benefits conferred by assimilation as an uplifting gift, and genuinely fail to comprehend what they see as the narrow-minded resistance shown toward it by other species. Freedom, self-determination, and individual rights are viewed as archaic concepts necessary only to less advanced, authority-driven cultures. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds", TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II")

While working towards this state, there have been incidents where certain species have been rejected by the Borg for assimilation, for fear of detracting from their goal, and others involving the specific targeting of a species considered especially qualified to assist in achieving it. The Kazon species of the Delta Quadrant were a former example; as former Borg Seven of Nine later commented to USS Voyager crewman Neelix, "their biological and technological distinctiveness was unremarkable; they were unworthy of assimilation."

Jean-Luc Picard viewed the Human race as an example of the latter, believing his assimilation to have been an attempt "...to bridge the gulf between Humanity and the Borg." (VOY: "Mortal Coil"; Star Trek: First Contact)

The Borg consider Particle 010, or the Omega particle, to be an expression of perfection, in effect a technological "holy grail", and are willing to pay any price to assimilate it. The only current or former member of the Collective known to have witnessed this perfection was Seven of Nine, who saw the spontaneous stabilization of several Omega molecules in a Harmonic resonance chamber aboard the USS Voyager, an experience Kathryn Janeway would subsequently claim to have been the equivalent of a spiritual experience for Seven. (VOY: "The Omega Directive")

Locutus of Borg told Worf that the Borg sought to improve the quality of life for all species. However, this was potentially contradicted by statements from the former Borg drone Seven of Nine in the Voyager episode "Mortal Coil", as seen in the article. Her statements seemed to indicate that the Borg were only interested in species that they believed would increase their own power and add to their perfection. However, as a complete understanding of Borg theories on social advancement is necessarily difficult to attain from an individualist perspective, it is possible that the Borg believe in ultimate gain among currently pronounced unworthy species via the long-term combined actions of the Collective.

Borg philosophy has a real-world parallel in transhumanism, the belief that humans should use techniques such as genetic engineering, cloning, and cybernetics to enhance themselves and evolve towards harmony and prosperity. Although they do not advocate forced evolution as the Borg do