Spock (Leonard Nimoy) was the first of many Vulcans introduced in Star Trek, and it wasn’t just his pointy ears and sharp eyebrows that made him stand out among his human peers. After all, though Vulcans are humanoid, they are very distinct from their round-eared brethren. One of the most memorable moments of the series, for example, came from Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) pointing out that Vulcans' hearts are located in a different section of the body than they are in humans. There’s even the rumor that humans don’t smell pleasant to Vulcans, though that could be more fandom speculation than established canon.

The progression of their two societies is also similar, though Vulcans went down a different path. Humans saw the violence of their past as stemming from hatred, bigotry, and callousness. Upon joining the United Federation of Planets, they dedicated themselves to becoming more science-forward with an emphasis on empathy, understanding, and open-mindedness. Vulcans have a much more violent past that they attribute to an excess of emotion. Their version of moving forward meant dedicating themselves to the pursuit of logic and scientific discovery. Vulcans have evolved as a society over the centuries, but there are some things that even time can’t change. This is where the differences in the "Vulcans versus Humans" conversation become most obvious.

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Are Vulcans Stronger Than Humans?

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Vulcans are notably stronger than humans, as seen throughout Star Trek. In The Original Series, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) was more likely to talk it out in disagreements with others, but he was more than capable of winning a fight if it came down to it. Yet, this didn’t stop him from losing almost every fight he got into with First Officer Spock. In Deep Space Nine, Kasidy Yates (Penny Johnson) explained to Captain Sisko (Avery Brooks) that Vulcans have quicker reflexes than humans and are, on average, three times physically stronger. Their strength could be the result of centuries spent fighting each other with such aggression that it shocked even violence-prone Humans. Maybe that’s just how Vulcans are made, like their distant Romulan relatives.

Either way, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) used that strength to his advantage while trying to take back control of the Enterprise from Officer Spock (Zachary Quinto) in Star Trek (2009). Crew members were shocked at his callous references to Spock’s mother dying and his home planet Vulcan being destroyed. But they were more shocked when Spock responded by beating him half to death on the bridge for everyone to see. It would have been kinder to simply knock the captain out with the infamous Vulcan Nerve Pinch, a move less about strength and more about stealth.

What Weaknesses Do Vulcans Have?

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The strength of Vulcans also manifests as higher metabolism, resistance to toxins, and greater immunity to sleep deprivation. However, that last claim should be taken with a grain of salt. In Voyager, Officer Tuvok (Tim Russ) made this observation to Officer Neelix (Ethan Phillips) to explain why he, as a Vulcan, needed less sleep than humans — before Tuvok promptly fell asleep in the command chair.

Still, for all their strengths, Vulcans are not without their weaknesses. In Star Trek: The Animated Series, Spock (Nimoy) is exposed to nitrous gas that causes him pain instead of making him laugh like the human officers of the Enterprise. Vulcans get cold more easily than humans since their bodies have adapted to the dry heat of their home planet, a sensitivity that only grows as they get older. Vulcans can also hear better than Hhmans, which can be a strength or a weakness depending on the situation. It puts them at an advantage while exploring new planets and keeping an eye (or a pointed ear) out for danger even in diplomatic situations.

But in an episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, that sensitive hearing is really annoying to have. Humans end up making noises so grating they actually manage to annoy the nearest Vulcan, who in this case is the unfortunate Officer T’Pol (Jolene Blalock).

What Is The Lifespan Of A Vulcan?

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In the ongoing debate of "Vulcans versus Humans," there’s one area in which Vulcans take the metaphorical cake: their longer lifespan. According to The Next Generation, Vulcans can live for over 200 years. Humans can’t live that long even with the scientific advancements of the Federation and, honestly, most wouldn't want to.

In season 3, episode 23, “Sarek,” Spock’s father Ambassador Sarek (Mark Lenard) pays a visit to the USS Enterprise on a diplomatic mission, when he begins to suffer from Bendii Syndrome. It’s a rare neurological disease that impacts Vulcans over the age of 200 years old. Sarek ends up losing control of his emotions and accidentally projecting them onto the unsuspecting Starfleet officers without even using the classic Vulcan Mind Meld. When humans get older, they lose control of their motor functions and their tempers, as shown in one bizarre episode of The Original Series. Captain Kirk (Shatner) became more hostile and impatient, but at least it didn’t send his crew into an angry frenzy.

Still, Vulcans enjoy a long life of scientific pursuits and perfecting their logical understanding of the galaxy at large. To humans, it may sound rather dull. But to Vulcans, it’s the reason they were granted such long life in the first place.

How Humans & Vulcans Relate

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While Star Trek presents Vulcans as different from humans, they aren’t incompatible. Spock’s human mother Amanda Grayson (Jane Wyatt) married his Vulcan father Sarek, and the two made a logically loving home for themselves on Vulcan. Sure, Amanda was often driven up the wall by her husband and son's stubborn dedication to logic, even when she thought emotion was more appropriate. But she loved them both and they, in their own way, loved her just as much.

Star Trek: Discovery later introduced Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) as the adopted human sister of Spock. His relationship with Michael gave fans a new insight into his character, while also providing a new perspective on Vulcans as a whole. While Amanda was more driven by emotion than her husband and son, Michael was shaped by the logic of them both into her career as a Starfleet officer. She eventually found her own way to honor Vulcan philosophy, and it led her to the captain’s chair.

Star Trek and its fans will always debate "Vulcans vs Humans." Yet, they both understand that Vulcans and Humans exist in infinite diversity in infinite combinations throughout the galaxy – even in the heat of battle.

MORE: Star Trek: The History Of The Vulcans, Explained