Ethics, Wednesday, November 4, 2015, (2nd period)

[sith_happened]

"Hope everyone enjoyed the free candy and didn't freeze too much without heat this weekend," Anakin said, finishing up a fun-sized Snickers he'd pilfered from his son Christopher's Halloween stash. "Today we're going to do one of our traditional hypotheticals, pulled from a story on this planet called the Lady or the Tiger."

"It is a tale of trial by combat," Obi-Wan said, "-- and no, that planet was not my fault, we are not having that argument in class again, Anakin, I can see you wanting to start -- ahem. In the tale, a young princess becomes rather enarmored of a commoner. Her father discovers this, and is rather displeased about the whole matter."

"If by 'displeased' you mean 'murderously pissed off', then yes," Anakin said. "And it was absolutely your fault but that's not under discussion. He captured the young commoner, put him through a sham of a trial and then placed him in an arena with two doors. Behind one was a beautiful woman--not the princess--that he would have to marry immediately. Behind the other was a tiger, who would devour him with severe prejudice. The princess, who wasn't exactly in the relationship with the commoner for entirely altruistic reasons, knew which door led to what. The commoner looked up to her, she nodded to a door...and that's where the story ends. What you get to decide is what fate she led him to...and what you would have done in her place."

"Was she struck by jealousy, or perhaps did she decide that the relationship had run its course and it was best to clean up, so to speak?" Obi-Wan asked. "Or did her feelings for the commoner trump such selfish desires?"

Anakin smiled at Obi-Wan. "What would you do, Master?"

"I would choose the woman, of course," Obi-Wan said, without even a moment's hesitation. QUELLE SURPRISE.

Anakin smirked. "Of course you would. Okay, class, your turn."

Comments

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[saddeserthermit]

"If at all possible," Obi-Wan said, "Yes."

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[sith_happened]

Anakin laughed, giving Obi-Wan a fond look. "If at all possible," he repeated.

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[saddeserthermit]

"There is always wiggle room if necessity is involved," Obi-Wan said, "But let's not exploit it."

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[sith_happened]

"That could be the title of your autobiography," Anakin commented.

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[saddeserthermit]

"If I had an autobiography of any kind, which seems rather senseless," Obi-Wan said, "It would be called 'A Tale of Many Headaches'."

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[sith_happened]

"There's no need to name it for me, Master," Anakin said. "It'll go straight to my head."

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[saddeserthermit]

"Please," Obi-Wan said. "I was referring to Master Qui-Gon - perhaps Master Vos, as well, and... there were so many of you."

But he wasn't naming any further names. Too many dead.

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[sith_happened]

Anakin's expression didn't change from his easy teasing, but he sent a pulse of reassurance and support through the Force.

He knew Obi-Wan well enough to sense where his thoughts had turned.

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[saddeserthermit]

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.

(That didn't mean he wasn't grateful. But still.)

"Let's have tea when this is done," he said. "I have a sudden craving."

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[sith_happened]

Anakin's lips quirked up. "Sounds good."

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[saddeserthermit]

"And then perhaps I can make you see the error of your ways regarding this particular incident."

Re: Talk to Anakin or Obi-Wan

[sith_happened]

"Well, you can try, Master," Anakin teased.