Tatrix Lady Aasiyah
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Number of posts : 391
Registration date : 2009-01-02
 | Subject: Philosophy and Lifestyle  Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:05 am | |
| Philosophy and Lifestyle
What constitutes the philosophy of Gor is basically that collected
foundation of reasoned thought upon which John Norman developed his
fictional world and the cultures populating it. Though his intentions
do not seem to have been the production of a structured philosophical
treatise, he did present a series of clearly considered ideas on
humanity and society, and through his stories showed these ideas in
practice. In this way the novels take on the dimension of an allegory,
fiction which suggests certain ideas and concepts, further encouraging
the reader to consider these suggestions in relation to his own
experience.
Some who read the books recognize these assertions and agree with them,
finding a line of thought that is in keeping with their own beliefs.
The ideas and scenarios expressed in the novels challenge these people
to examine themselves and their society, to question why things are as
they are, and to determine for themselves just what is correct and what
is "truth," instead of simply accepting what they have been taught.
This examination can have a profound effect, one that leads to those so
involved incorporating what they have discovered into their own
personal outlook on the world and understanding of how it works. The
result of this is a marked influence upon one's individual lifestyle
choices, sometimes even going so far as to develop into an adherence to
a particular lifestyle itself, one that is based upon what has been
found.
The Gorean lifestyle involves the practical application of these
suggestions to one's life and one's relationship with the world. The
word "lifestyle" indicates a particular way of living and the word
"Gorean" defines just what particular way that is. There are many
different ways a person can actually lead a Gorean lifestyle, but what
is held in common are the beliefs and values which constitute the
philosophy at its base. The intent in this is not to pretend Gorean
society is real, or to refute one's own world for the delusion of a
fictional one, but to take the examples and ideas the author presents
at the core of these things, and distill the basic views that are
suggested through them. The characters in the books, and the tales
which are their lives, present a series of events and conditions. How
these characters interact and what system of thought motivates their
activities and resulting behaviors is what defines the system of values
which constitute what "Gorean" is.
<blockquote>
"How rare is the truly dissenting voice, and how perilous the consequences of its utterance."</blockquote> | |
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