Moral Philosophy
Written by Vairen Tammal
A version of this class is currently in use by Serrah al'Brennan.
[Board Intro/Signup Message]
[Lesson One]
[Lesson Two]
[Lesson Three]
[Lesson Four]
[Lesson Five]
[Final]
[Return to the Archive]
Board Intro/Signing Up
Moral Philosophy
Taught by Dedicated Vairen Tammal
This is a class on Moral Philosophy, taught by Vairen Tammal, Dedicated aspiring to the Blue Ajah. Be assured that the following lessons will be a great deal more interesting than you might believe - morality is a concept that affects the lives of us all. Enter, young student, and be educated...
Let us be brief - you know the drill - give me your name, rank, and email address, all useful if you wish to receive a formal pass. Otherwise, please do enjoy the lessons, the premise of which you will understand far better when you begin. :)
Lesson One - Introductions
The classroom was bare and stark, most suitable for the clear-cut standards that Vairen was aiming for here. He would not tolerate flamboyance nor petty displays of strength from any of his students during the coming weeks… obedience and concentration would be bare requirements, thoughtful contemplations to be highly encouraged. Above all, channeling the One Power would be unreservedly forbidden and those who felt obliged to violate this simple rule would be severely punished. They will all soon discover the pertinent standards of discipline in the Children of the Light.
Each row of desks was arranged in precise symmetry, an equidistant gap between each student that would allow for discussion where permitted but also cause it to be quite evident if a novice was chattering when she should not. Not to mention a Soldier glancing at another’s answers! Upon each students table, Vairen had laid several scraps of parchment along with a tiny vial of black ink and a workable quill. These would be vital tools for any student desiring to pass the subsequent lessons and Vairen would have a hard hand for all those who gave inadequate responses or who inscribed illegibly. The atmosphere of the classroom was completed by precisely positioned austere wooden stools that would never allow its pupils to sit with too much comfort. Perhaps a little neater than my own chambers… yet who is likely to enter this class who has seen the inside of them?
Students began filing into the lesson little by little, some entering alone whilst others came in their pairs or trios. Vairen eliminated the groups with cold efficiency, barking at novices and Soldier’s to seat themselves wherever he designated; he was blissfully unaffected by the numerous glowers thrown at him equally by friends torn apart and factions shattered. He had already identified a number of troubling presences in the class, those who were particularly quarrelsome and others who appeared to be sharing conspiratory glances with their associates seated across the other side of the room. And that will be quite enough of that…
“Face front!” he barked vigorously across the class, employing the tones of an authoritative officer addressing his ranks. “You have either volunteered for or been allocated to these lessons so that you may gain knowledge of basic moral philosophy beneath my tutelage. As such, you will show me unconditional respect at all times. Grey Tower convention states that all pupils must defer to a teacher, disregarding his or her rank. I will make sure that this custom is strictly enforced,” he told them, his manner implying that it would be as harshly applied as the sternest laws.
“I have divided the subject matter into five lessons that will culminate on a final examination where you will be expected to demonstrate adequate understanding of what you have learned.” Vairen’s cold green eyes surveyed the class and took note of several vacant gazes that would fall far short of adequate. “The point of this session is not to educate but to determine what little you might already understand regarding the subject. You will write your name neatly at the top of the first leaf of parchment and write a full paragraph on what you interpret morality to be. Today there will be no right or wrong answer though I warn you that I do not tolerate untidy script or blotted work.” Vairen spared a warning glance for the idlers before clapping his hands together for focus. “I will pass around the room periodically to approve your answers and then you shall be dismissed. There will be no talking. You may begin.”
Lesson Two - Objective or Subjective Morality?
Vairen eyed each student sharply as they entered his classroom for the second time, filing into their allotted seats. He soon found himself striding back and forth about the room, wrenching apart the pairs and triplets who evidently felt that they could pull the wool over his eyes. There were several novices who appeared to be causing him chronic difficulties, displaying a rebellious disposition at every opportunity offered to them. This behaviour would not have been tolerated in the Children Vairen reminded himself irritably as a lad yet years from adulthood shot an insubordinate glance in his direction.
And it appeared that mere unruliness would be the least of his worries in the coming days. Soldier Sival had seemed innocent enough seated to Vairen’s right side in the front row. And what matter if he was placed so that I could spare an idle glance during a bored moment. The boy gazed at him with those big gorgeous brown eyes and seemed to remind him of every depraved moment that had passed between them. Blood and ashes, as if Lem and Caith weren’t enough… at least they share enough sense to refrain from any indecent… narrative. Apparently Soldier Sival was open about his feelings towards other males! The Children would have had him birched and exiled…
“Face front!” Vairen barked, clapping his hands briskly together for their attention; Sival raised a single eyebrow and smiled up at him. “Er… yes… morality… before you may begin to reason the qualities of decent moral fibre, you must first determine the source of righteousness itself. Indeed, how does a man or woman decide what is acceptable behaviour and what is not? Er…” Sival leaned forward, staring at him in a rather direct manner. Light please, no more faltering Vairen. “Thus, the preliminary requirement is to distinguish between objective and subjective morality.” Pausing for effect, and to calm frayed nerves, he ran his gaze along the class once more, notably avoiding Sival’s insistent staring.
“Now… allow your minds to conceive of the following scenario,” Vairen continued, his voice able to salvage some pace and authority. “A starving urchin boy robs a single loaf of bread from a particularly wealthy merchant in Amadicia. Grim is the hard-nosed magistrate who must dispense justice upon the lad and he applies the law to its letter. The child has already been branded for previous theft and now it is ordered that he lose his hand.” Shocked murmurings and disgraced pronunciations against Amadician law passed about the room but nobody dared cry out “Whitecloak spy” as they had done so many times when he had been Soldier with them. Habituated by the decadence of these witches, every one of them… too weak to obey the Creator’s laws. Yet he had not forgotten his tutelage beneath the former Amyrlin Seat, Revelin Sedai… she had stolidly broken through his resolve and forced him to question his own inflexible perspective on what was good and virtuous. “Now Grim is an adherent to objective morality – simply put, a belief that moral principles derive solely from the laws of the land or a Being greater than humanity, such as the Creator. Objective morality does not accept a middle ground – a person who diverges from a moral principle must be acting contrary to the Light and good existence.” I still serve the Children… I walk in the Light.
“Now the poor urchin is visited by the altruistic Lady Charity, who immediately discovers a great empathy for the boy. He is emaciated, an orphan living on the streets, and was faced with a cruel choice between theft or decaying away his miserable existence down some lonely dark alley. Lady Charity realises that every law has its loophole.” Vairen smiled lopsidedly at his pupils… this would have made Revelin proud. “She bribes the authorities with enough of her gold to see that their protestations are hastily quelled. Lady Charity adopts the young man into her House and offers him the opportunities he could never have hoped for before. The kindly Lady is a radiant example of subjectivism; somebody who uses her own personal ethics and the context of each situation to decide what is right and wrong. The law may or may not reflect that person’s ethical principles but they never presume the existence of a rigid moral code.” Allowing the class a short time to digest what they had been told, Vairen sat back in his seat and watched them curiously.
“If you are quite satisfied with what you have learned today, I will permit some brief discussion with your neighbours. And then you shall neatly write down responses to the following questions. Do you believe in the existence of a Creator? With concise examples, can you define objective and subjective morality? Finally, do you consider yourself to be an objectivist or subjectivist? You may proceed.” Vairen rose from his seat and wandered unobtrusively about the room, tilting his head in at heated discussions and glancing over scribbled responses.
Lesson Three - Altruism or Egoism?
“Good afternoon,” Vairen smilingly murmured to the pouting novice who was now arranging her white skirts carefully about the stool nearest his desk. Janna was one of the troublesome girls who had seen her wilful hindrances quelled dramatically when Vairen casually informed her that she would spend the next two weeks mucking out stables after lessons. “And another day will be added for every other time that you speak out of hand in my class girl!” Vairen had snapped, the hardy captain berating a foolish young recruit. Today, certain issues appeared to have abated at last – at least every Soldier and novice was now able to locate their proper seat without any interference on Vairen’s part.
“Very good,” he broke into the hushed whispering of gossiping novices and soldiers, employing the rich intonations that would carry across far-reaching halls. “For the most part, I was satisfied with your responses in the previous lesson and you all appear to adequately grasp the concept of objective and subjective morality. Now we shall apply these principles in a more direct manner. Think carefully about this question… who here believes that they have committed a truly virtuous act in their lives?” Hands shot up in every direction, almost every last pupil arrogantly confident in their own incorruptibility. “I see. And how many did so to gain themselves recognition or some other reward?” Hands began to waver. “And how many boasted of their virtue after the act was done? How many expected the beneficiary of their actions to return the favour in kind? Which of you felt an inflated sense of pride or ego? Were these truly selfless acts?” Most arms had fallen shamefully to the bearer’s side at that point and the few defiant initiates who stood by their claim were the same predictably subversive individuals. “Hands down. For those who persisted in claiming to be truly righteous men and women, I shall be having a word with Nesbitta Sedai after this class… she might well require your selflessness in the refugee kitchens.” The Grey was an upstanding enough witch if one could truly be said to exist – she ran the kitchens with an iron hand but hungry mouths were fed through her efforts.
“And so we move onto the ego,” Vairen announced, inflecting a modicum of ostentation that, the Light willing, would sustain the attentions of his class. “Or rather more accurately… egoism. Captain Bragger is a loud and boastful man who always speaks brashly about the great deeds he has done without a thought for himself. He rescued a maiden from her bandit captors, took the life of a tyrant noble… Light, he even single-handedly slaughtered a Fist of Trollocs assaulting an innocent village! Bragger was a true hero. Of course he enjoyed the praise heaped on him by those he assisted… not to mention the glory that came with these efforts. And the gold… the elevation in rank… just a selection of the benefits that motivate egoists like Captain Bragger.” Glancing at his students again, Vairen was pleased to note that there were only a few vacant expressions; most appeared relatively engaged with the subject. “Put simply, an egoist is somebody who commits a deed simply for personal gain, whether that gain is emotional or tangible in its effect.
“Now let us consider dear Mistress Virtue,” Vairen could not conceal a slight smile at the muted groaning emanating from certain pupils but he shushed them decisively back into attentive silence. “She will be the last… I swear it under the Light. Mistress Virtue is a quiet, modest young seamstress who is always free with her kindness and compassion. Far from wealthy yet she gives whatever she can to those who need it… ever on hand to fix up the scrapes and bruises of young children… her kind words of advice and sympathy for those in pain are unfailingly appreciated by those who receive it.” This was a fair description of the standard Vairen wished he could live up to – a truly obedient servant to the Light and his Creator. “Mistress Virtue is an illustration of altruism… as far as can be told, she performs noble deeds for others and demands nothing for her trouble. There are certain thinkers who believe that altruism is not truly possible but we will be studying this in further detail later in the schedule.
“For now, I will be naming each of you to come forward one after another. You will search through your experiences for an example of a just act, one that can have been committed by yourself or another.” Defiant groaning reached his ears and Vairen tapped sharply on the desk for silence. “To speak with confidence is a sign of integrity – there is no reason to be uneasy. You will describe the action and tell me if you believe it to have been egoistic or altruistic in nature. Remember that if you are speaking of yourself, then you should be wary of an overweening attitude… a moral individual is modest and reserved at all times.” He smiled placidly at them. “Ah yes… and before it escapes my recollection… there will be an out of class assignment today.” A further onslaught of groaning, this time more difficult to quell. “Between now and the following lesson…” he bellowed over the uproar, “… you will commit an altruistic act. You will find that in the Grey Tower, there is never a shortage. I am giving you this as an assignment so it cannot be claimed as truly unselfish… but it is good practice… do right by others until it becomes habitual. You’ll write down how you achieved this assignment, telling me how it made you feel, and hand in the finished product to me tomorrow. Right… Soldier Sival, proceed to the front of the class and begin.” Vairen had been relatively successful in ignoring the boy’s stares today, yet perhaps it would be best to get this uncomfortable affair concluded promptly…
OOC – Write Vairen calling out your name and then proceed to the front and do your business!
Lesson Four - Moral Hedonism
“Thank you most kindly,” he spoke softly, beaming at the charming young serving lad who had delivered him the necessary items for this lesson. A tray had been placed on each desk, carefully concealed beneath velvety blue cloths. No luxury had been spared for today. The rough stools were replaced with polished high-backed seats, adorned by plump feather pillows, each cased in dark blue silk of the reserved Cairhienin fashion. He had made provision for silver jugs of squeezed orange juices and chilled spring water upon each student’s desk, along with small bronze chalices for their personal use. Several famous works of art had been placed on the walls, vibrant and sexualised pieces that provoked intense passions in those who appreciated them. Vairen stared long and hard at the nude young man standing obliviously in a blaze of angry red; it was difficult not to be moved by this harsh symbol of desire. A month without dessert and two weeks of servant chores to make up the time and resources expended… this better be bloody worth it…
Within minutes, novices and soldiers filed into the room in their scattered groups, faces alighting at the spectacle they were met with. Vairen curtly commanded each of them to place their assignment upon his desk and not to touch the velvet swathes He did not pass comment upon those few who turned up empty-handed, simply writing their names neatly on a piece of faded parchment. A visit to Daimenin or Aliana would soon set them straight. For today, they would experience a mild loosening of restraint, as well as the freedom to indulge in a little decadence.
“I took the liberty of requesting the service of the cooks for this afternoon,” Vairen announced coolly, instantly drawing the attentions of the chattering pupils. “They have prepared a treat for each of you… perhaps something that you request regularly or an indulgence that they have taken particular note of.” The numbers of initiates in the Grey Tower were little enough for a fastidious cook to learn the quirks and preferences of their charges quickly enough. And even the newer ones are allowed sweets from time to time. “You may remove the cloth now and begin your… indulgences... whilst I continue lecturing.”
A wash of giggles flooded through the usually restrained classroom and a score of young men and women revealed glossy trays topped with bluff Tairen porcelain, doubtless more luxury than most of them had seen for many a year. Most were already gorging themselves on steaming plates of apple pie or strawberries coated in thick, buttery cream. Vairen contented himself with steaming Kaf, breathing in the stark aromas as he peered at the extravagances of his students. Nesbitta deserves my gratitude for the Kaf if nothing else… surely the most wonderful creation to be exported from the Seanchan isles.
“Very well. Hedonism.” That caught the attentions of several famished students, who glanced up at him and began stirring silvery spoons around their plates uneasily. The clever ones did – those who realised what this lesson would now entail. “You are all now engaged in hedonism. The pure, unadulterated seeking of pleasure. Certain moral philosophers believe that this is a measure of decent behaviour. The pleasure derived from an act is a measure of its ethical value; this is called moral hedonism. This strain of thought takes the perspective that nothing can be immoral if it produces pleasure. This conviction is certainly open for debate…
“Ascetics believe in the denial of pleasure and in leading a simple, frugal lifestyle.” This was something that was the commonly accepted convention within Amadicia – for a Child of the Light, self-gratification was a grievous sin. “They would argue that to live simply and charitably is to live decently. Hedonism is ultimately self-destructive and the individual who lives so will begin to lose a sense of higher values. And when there are young children on the streets grateful for a mere crust of stale bread, we should all learn to temper our own immoderations.” And with that statement, many more novices and soldiers began toying uncomfortably with their own plates, realising the implications of their actions. “You see how it is important always to contemplate greater principles, yes?” Vairen could not quite veil a contemptuous sneer for their excessiveness, not even with all the informal education Lembirt had provided him in the arts of etiquette.
“But it is not for me to decide what values you should hold dear. I noted in the previous lessons that some of you were unwilling to participate in class discussion, perhaps due to being separated from your usual comrades. Today you will each be paired off and discussion will be a requirement of the lesson. One half of the pair will argue for hedonism, the other against it. You will combine your conclusions into an essay of reasonable length for my perusal at the end of class. I will not tolerate excuses that your partner did not meet the proper standards – you are a team… if one falls, you both shall.”
Promptly, Vairen began moving up and down the ranks, efficiently grating out the names of his predetermined pairs.
OOC – Essays will meet the typical standard of around two hundred words. But I’m not as fussed about the essays as I am about the discussion and your characters own personal views on the subject.
Lesson Five - Advanced Moral Theory
Vairen allowed a short prayer for the long-awaited conclusion to these trying lessons. He had never truly sympathised with Lembirt’s own frustrations until realising just how insubordinate a score of young recruits could truly be. He had made several enemies during the course of this class, some who would perhaps never put the events behind them. No matter to me… the Light willing, I will be Asha’man long before they can hope to seek vengeance. Nausea revealed its unsightly face to him at the thought that his raising was something he now yearned for. Yet mother had always taught him to accept what could not be changed…
Pupils gradually began marching their way in, few thinking to show him much impertinence and none at all bothering to deny the reality of their seating plan. The hard stools had been returned and the indecent artwork removed from the walls; though Vairen had stared long and hard at the unclothed man before finally pulling it reverently down from its place. He did not want to admit it yet there was something cold and oppressive about the rooms after the jollity of the previous session. The young Soldier’s and novices seemed restrained, as if holding back an element of themselves from open view.
“Good afternoon class,” Vairen began, confidently projecting his voice following the substantial experience he had recently received. “This is the final lesson before your examination. Today we are studying advanced moral theory and applied ethics. During the course of your lives, you will find that you will face moral dilemmas that are difficult to resolve. Applied ethics will equip you with the knowledge to settle them. You are training to be Aes Sedai and Asha’man of the Grey Tower, or the Gaidin that protect them. You must present yourself in a just and principled manner at all times. For the purposes of this, we will be studying a not exhaustive list of moral theories.” It was a contradiction in terms to think of the Grey Tower wanting to act in a “principled” manner… yet natural for it to be the appearance that they presented to the lands.
“In our ordinary lives, we fashion agreements between each other and expect the others half of the bargain to be met. Yet would we still expect this if we failed to satisfy our own conditions?” Letting the words sink in, Vairen poured himself cool water from a plainly adorned brass jug, swallowing slowly from his mug. “Contractarianism is a concept that explains moral behaviour without the requirement of a Creator or a greater presence such as the Light. It is an extension of egoism in the sense that we are decent to others because it is in our own interests to do so. Lacking the control of a higher command structure, such as the Kings and Queens in our own nations, people would live in a “state of nature”… in other words we would commit immoral acts without our society’s general rules of behaviour.” Vairen drained the cup of his fresh water, washing a bitter taste from his mouth.
“Golden Rule Theory is applied ethics in action,” he announced, moving onto a more comfortable subject matter. “You will all know the common maxim to “do only to others as you would have them do to you.” Some theorists believe that applying this rule of ethical behaviour to every situation is a certain manner in which to lead a virtuous life. We do not like to be harmed or disrespected, or to have our possessions stolen from us… hence, we should do none of these things to the others around us.” For the first time in several lessons, Soldier Sival caused him distraction with another unmistakably raised eyebrow and his soft pouting lips. I wanted you to do those things to me… the boy’s eyes seemed to tell him. “This theory can be linked to egoism in the sense that it may well be in our interests to treat others in the way that we expect to be treated. However, the rule can be applied without the requirement for a powerful Monarch or ruling class… and there is no reason that we should not treat others so, simply because we empathise with their suffering. In any case, it is a matter for your consideration.” The girls at the front who had shown such brashness in the earlier lessons were frantically scribbling down notes on their parchment whilst Sival continued to watch silently; Vairen consoled himself with the small mercy that there would be only one day after this.
“Finally, we shall consider utilitarianism, a somewhat more meticulous and intricate example of applied ethics. Imagine the following… you are an Asha’man or Aes Sedai and see a boulder colliding its way down the face of a cliff into the path of a score of people. All of them will be killed unless you use the One Power to fling it in the opposite direction, where only a single person will be killed. Now hands up those of you who would rescue the twenty men and women.” Unsurprisingly, considerably more than half of the arms shot up, followed by several hands that were somewhat more hesitantly lofted. Vairen barely suppressed a further sneer for the moral bankruptcy displayed by the majority of his pupils. How can they claim a right reserved only for the Creator Himself… what other can decide the value of one life over another? At least those who had not raised their arms were frowning broodingly into the distance. “Those of you who agree may now consider yourselves utilitarianist. Simply, utilitarianism is defined as committing “the greatest good for the greatest number”. It is well that twenty lives should be saved, and thus the single one is outweighed by this. Is anybody unclear? No? Remarkable.
“During our study of moral hedonism, you were encouraged to engage in class discussion but today you will return to conducting private work. It is a vital ability to be certain in your own outlook, free of pressure from your peers. Thus, today’s assignment is to write a detailed essay comprising of a minimum of two sections. You must tell me firstly which of these theories that you most prefer and why. You will then explain the reasons that the other two were less suitable. As I told you at the beginning, the list was not extensive… you will be able to learn a great deal more from Jivanya Sedai’s Practical Ethics and Advanced Moralism. ” He paused again, waiting for the students to jot down the name of the book. “Very well… you may begin.”
Final Exam
The examination! Dreaded by every novice and Soldier but Vairen found himself in the uncanny circumstance of being entirely relieved that the day had finally come. The young men and women solemnly filed into his classroom for the final time, the desks spread out even further than they ordinarily had been. All notes or possible pointers had been removed from about the room and two pieces of high-rate parchment had been placed face down on each desk, along with the normal quills and black ink pots. Not wishing to delay the inevitable, they all swiftly became seated, silently awaiting Vairen’s instructions.
“There will be no talking,” he snapped harshly at them, making certain that the primary rule would be understood from the offset. “This condition shall prevail above all else until you have left the room. When I instruct you to do so, you will turn over your papers, on which you shall discover a selection of questions regarding what you have learned during the past days. I have left ample space to answer each of them and you will not pass unless you answer all. At the end of the examination, you will hand your papers to me, and depart from the room… I will then forward your results to you on the morrow. You will have half of an hour to proceed.” Vairen glanced up at the faded bronze clock that had been hung on the wall for the purposes of the exam. Tick, clonk… tick, clonk… “You may begin.” Tick, clonk…
1) In your own words, what do you now believe to be the meaning of morality?
2) Yarin believes that the Creator decides what comprises decent and indecent behaviour. Is he an objectivist or a subjectivist? Why?
3) Sera constantly defies the laws of the land when she believes them to be unjust. Is she an objectivist or a subjectivist? Why?
4) Jarlin has served as Mayor in his village in Andor for many years and is well known for his kindness and hard work; for the most part, it is he who is responsible for creating a happy and prosperous community. However, Jarlin committed the crime of theft and assault when he was younger and was pursued ruthlessly by the Queen’s Guard since. Although now a reformed man, he is eventually tracked down and brought before the Queens Justice. Imagine you are the magistrate ruling on his case – whatever decision you make, there will be no consequences upon yourself. Are you an objective or subjective magistrate? Would you rule for the usual penalty to be applied to Jarlin or would you pardon him?
5) Jaleb is a mercenary who hires himself to rich nobles, hunting down bandits and rogues plaguing their lands. Is Jaleb an altruist or egoist? Why?
6) Lady Alenna regularly bequeaths her wealth upon the poor and the needy in her lands. She enjoys the joy and gratitude received from whomever she assists and her fellow nobles constantly cascade her with their praises. Is Lady Alenna an altruist or egoist. Why?
7) What is moral hedonism and why is it clearly a flawed theory?
8) You and your son are imprisoned by the Whitecloaks. A sadistic Inquisitor hangs your boy from a post and places a stool beneath him. The Questioner says that you must pull the chair from beneath him; he says that if you do not, then he will not only kill your son but another innocent prisoner. You know that he is telling the truth. Apply the rule which you prefer most from the following - utilitarianism, golden rule or social contract - what would be the appropriate reaction based on this moral theory? Would your answer be any different if applying the other two? And is this what you honestly feel you would do under the circumstances?
9) A friend confides in you that he committed a minor crime, one that would justify several weeks in the dungeons. He makes you promise never to tell and you do so. You then discover that an innocent person has been accused of the crime and you urge your friend to confess. He refuses and reminds you of your promise. Apply the same questions as above.
10) You detain a Darkfriend and suspect that he knows of a plot to sneak several Fists of Trollocs into the Grey Tower. If allowed to succeed, hundreds might die. You know that he will not crack beneath the harshest questioning but if you were to torture his innocent child, he would relent. A mere threat will not suffice – you must cause the child harm. Again, you will apply the above questions to this dilemma.
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