Philosophising Philosophy

[Magus Syfer]

Lunaria, Fifth Cycle, Melora, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Spring

Magus trudged past the Training Grounds and the Academy of Mind and Fire to reach the two buildings of the scholars, aptly named the Old Schola and New Schola. He entered the new Schola building, as directed by the clerk, and ascended the stairs. Glancing about at each of the doors he past, he noticed one with the words inscribed into it: "Room 101". Tentatively knocking on the door, he found it opening with much gusto and found himself staring - at a wrinled old lady with a gap where her two front bunny teeth should have been, or rather where it had been.

"You must be another student coming to listen to the Introductory Philosophy lecture, right? Do come in. We haven't got all day, " she wheezed as Magus was urgently ushered in. It appeared that the rest of the class had alread appeared, and were arranged in a few semi-circular rows, looking down towards the centre stage.

Magus took a seat along the front row, the row in which most people sat only if they arrived late and were either too embarrassed to scurry the extra few steps to the other rows, or if the other rows were already filled.

[HyRune Raven]

The older lady sat back complacently in a chair at the head of the room as student after student filed in after Magus. The plain fact of the matter was, this was a free class, and as a result it was quite popular. People of all races and walks of life filed in--kattas, elves, dwarves, humans, one gnome, and even a spunky little lutran with a grin like he was going to the fair.

As soon as the bell tolled, the elderly lady sprang back to her feet and shut the door.

"Now then," she called out in an authoritative voice, and the loud murmuring and socializing that had previously characterized the room ceased abruptly. "My name is Winter Lindralan." The slight hiss-squeek that characterized her s's as a result of her missing teeth was comical, and a few of the students giggled, including the lutran. Winter glared at them, and that gaze was so fierce that the chuckling ceased immediately.

"As I said, my name is Winter Landralan. I'll be your instructor for today--yes, for today. Each day you will have a new instructor who will teach you from a different perspective of philosophy, based on the most famous philosophical scholars the Empire has to offer. I know that many of you probably think this is an excellent opportunity to make some easy money. You probably think that the Philosophers of Demios are a bunch of lazy men and women who sit around all day and get paid for doing nothing. I assure you, nothing could be farther from the truth. This class is meant as a sort of springboard for entry into the School of the Philosophers, but though all of you will pass the class, very very few of you will gain entry to the School. We are a very elite group, and accept very few new scholars among our ranks. I wanted to get that out of the way right from the start. Any of you who see the Thane's new establishment as a way to stay lazy and be supported by the taxpayers will find yourselves looking for a new job very quickly."

Her severe tone vanished suddenly, and she smiled, just a little. "Now, then," she said again, "Who can tell me what philosophy is?"

There was a long silence...

[Magus Syfer]

The silence remained unbroken, until one tentative voice raised a few decibels above a whisper, unsure of the answer, yet daring the rest of the class to jeer him.

"Is... Isn't it the discipline of searching for answers? Answers through asking questions?"

A few nervous titters broke out, and just as quickly subsided. No one was quite sure what to make of this answer. No-one, except the dame in front. Magus was frowning, deep in thought. He was still feeling somewhat at a loss, even though the class had yet to progress past the first 5 minutes.

[HyRune Raven]

ooc: I'll just run with it for now. I intended to leave it open for your PC to answer but this works too...

ic: Winter shrugged. "As good an answer as I've heard from a beginning student so far. Philosophy is the study of everything. The beautiful thing about mortality is that we literally know absolutely nothing, and this is what is so interesting about the word--it comes from two ancient allerian words meaning 'love' and 'knowledge'. So, philosophy means 'love of knowledge', but this is not a love of knowledge we already possess but of an abstract concept we refer to as knowledge, which is the comprehension of truth--a feat that has never been accomplished. Will we ever accomplish it? Will we ever know anything for certain?"

It took a moment for the class to realize the question was not rhetorical--Professor Landralan was waiting for an answer.

[Magus Syfer]

Knowledge... love? Is he implying that we know nothing for certain? What in aetheria is he talking about?

Magus bravely ventured to take up the challenge within the lecturer's tone.

"Are you saying that Philosophy is the love of the knowledge of truth? You seem to be implying that we know nothing? But we do - we know that horses have four legs, that an apple is round and that Jaali has no brains. Is that not the truth, Professor Landralan?

And furthermore, how can one love pure knowledge, if it's as abstract as you make it to be. What is there to love about something so intangible, so vague".

[HyRune Raven]

Winter raised an eyebrow at Magus' assumptions. "Ah, but do we know that a horse has four legs? Do we know, even, that a horse really exists? Have you ever met a Mystic? The Archmages of that discipline possess the ability to make one behold illusions--constructs of things which do not really exist. How do you know that all horses you have ever seen are not similarly non-existent illusions? If they are real, how do you know that your sight of four legs is an actual representation of the truth. For that matter...can you even tell me what 'truth' means?"

The question was not directed at the masses--it was meant specificalyl for Magus.

[Magus Syfer]

Magus instantly retorted with a reply of his own.

"Truth is in the eye of the beholder. Truth is subjective. For me, if I can see, feel and hear a horse, then whether it be an illusion or not, it is real enough for me. You seem to imply the existence of an objective truth. But, in this rather frighteningly complex universe of forever-shifting rules governing reality, can you ever be certain of such a truth of which you place so highly?"

[Zoveh]

The class was silent, watching the interchange between the two individuals. They watched, and waited to see who would prevail the argument. Would the teacher wield her vastly superior wisdom, or would the student get one back against teachers everywhere.

The teacher, however, only smiled slightly, her old eyes lighting up at the thought traversing through her head. Her reply was quiet, yet dead serious.

"And can you be so certain it does not exist? Have you explored all of the options yourself? Have you tried to seek the truth?"

She paused here to let that idea sink into her student, before continuing.

"Philosophers ask questions, and seek answers to those questions, in pursuit of the larger truth. Whether it exists or not, we will never know until we either achieve that truth, or arrive at the location only to find nothing. But I suspect there will be a truth there..."

[Magus Syfer]

(OOC: any mods out there, Zoveh has kindly taken over the peermodding of this thread. Thanks Zoveh.)

All of a sudden, for Magus, the debate turned into a staring competition. Oh, of course, the verbal parrying had to continue; but for some odd reason, Magus had this notion that by staring down his teacher, he'd somehow win the argument. Stare stare.

During the interminable silence following Winter Landralan's response, Magus pondered. He pondered long, he pondered hard. He pondered with a heavy heart. With a sinking feeling, he could envision himself losing this debate.

"I do not claim that truth does not exist. I merely suggested that truth is subjective. It is in exploring all the options available that one gradually changes his or her perception of the truth until they decide not to change anymore. I believe that the truth always changes, that there is no set truth. That the only limit we have to find out the extent of our truth-shifting is time, for none of us are immortal, not as the Allerians are, not as the Aetherians are."

With his part done, he lounged back into his chair, a grin plastered on his face.

[Magus Syfer]

OOC: Well, to tell you the truth, I don't think I care much about Philosophy anymore. So, I'll just stop. Thanks for your help Zoveh.

Winter bridled with rage. How dare he! This upstart youngster had repeatedly challenged her all throughout the class, interrupting the other students. Oh, Winter didn't mind the first few questions by this human, but did he lack the ability to keep an open mind, and accept what she said for the time being? Nothing but rocks and cheese in that brain of his!

"Enough! Enough is enough. Since you do not seem able to keep quiet, I shall have to expel you from this class. There are many others sharing this class with you, and they do not appreciate you wasting their time. Please leave the classroom immediately."

Magus gaped in surprise. This was one response he was unprepared for. But since he had no choice, then... He picked himself up, and made to leave the room. However, just before he closed the door, with his back turned to her, Magus stamped his foot as if he was trying to get rid of dust from his shoes. Then he left.

[Dragon]

OOC: Not approved as it is not finished. Closed since the thread is finished.