fandomhigh | Practical Philosophy, Tuesday

"'The first principles of the universe are atoms and empty space; everything else is merely opinion'," Ender quoted, once the last of his students had settled in on the lawn. "If you did the reading I assigned a few weeks ago, you'll know that quote from the Greek philosopher Democritus. If you didn't, for instance because you were stuck in a hole, well, I won't dock points."

He smiled briefly, then reached for a bottle of water.

"Like many of the famous old Greeks, Democritus concerned himself with many areas of study, from physics to mathematics. But he also dabbled in philosophy." His mouth curved. "Actually, they called him 'The Laughing Philosopher', because he 'laughed at humanity's follies', which should tell you a thing or two about the man."

He took a sip of water.

"Democritus believed it was almost impossible to know the truth. After all, we see the world through our senses, which he felt were innately subjective. Who's to say the color 'purple' looks the same to your eyes as they do to a friend's? He called this 'bastard' knowing: to know only through the senses. Real truth can only be attained through reason."

Another sip, then he set it down. "We're all from different universes with different rules, we're all people with different perceptions and different experiences," he said. "What's true to you can be quite fundamentally untrue to your friend from another universe where purple is a little yellow, actually. And still, here at Fandom, we manage to relate ourselves to people who are so very different from ourselves. In a way, I suppose, we collectively come together to decide on what we think is true, and we live by that."

He shrugged. "Of course, Democritus also pointed out that we can reason our way into beautiful theories about the state of the universe, but the only way to confirm those theories is to see them with our imperfect senses." He sat back. "Have you befriended anyone, or seen another universe, or experienced anything this summer that made you question whether your own perceptions are true? Do you think Democritus is right, or is there such a thing as real truth?" he said. "Does it even matter?"

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He shrugged. "Of course, Democritus also pointed out that we can reason our way into beautiful theories about the state of the universe, but the only way to confirm those theories is to see them with our imperfect senses." He sat back. "Have you befriended anyone, or seen another universe, or experienced anything this summer that made you question whether your own perceptions are true? Do you think Democritus is right, or is there such a thing as real truth?" he said. "Does it even matter?"

"I did the reading," Ben said with a little grin at Ender, "because the teacher's a real pain about it. I grew up learning that the truths we cling to can depend upon our point of view, but that's a very uncomfortable place for most beings to inhabit."

"Howso?" Ender asked.

"It's easier to feel certain," Ben said. "It's easier to not look too closely at what you're agreeing to in order to feel safe."

"What does it take to get someone to step out of that frame of mind, do you think?" Ender asked.

Liliana couldn't help but snort. Though the first thing that came to mind - the Raven Man - was definitely not something she intended to share.

"Illusion magic is a large subsection of blue mana," she said. "Doubting your own senses and perceptions is sometimes necessary because you can't always be certain that what you're sensing is what is really there. That goes triply when you're dealing with fairies."

"So when do you doubt your senses?" Ender asked. "Besides 'when you're dealing with fairies'."

Said like fairies didn't bloody infest various planes. You'd think they'd offer more courtesy to the Left Hand of Oona, but noooOOOooOO.

"When you know you're up against a mage with blue mana in any fashion," she said, thinking of Jace. "Whether illusions or telepathy, it's always a good idea to triple check. "When you have at least one sense out of alignment with the others. Scent is usually the easiest; illusion mages usually prioritize sight, then hearing, and then touch before scent or taste, assuming they even bother. When your surroundings don't match up with your expectations - if I'm walking somewhere with a thick vein of black mana, but outwardly I'm in a forest."

"And are there any situations where you might do so when it does not involve mages?" Ender asked, repressing any sense of amusement he felt at that answer.

Considerably for the best, since Liliana would have no idea what he found so amusing.

"Sensory perceptions? No," Liliana sais. "Perceptions about people and situations, certainly. And even conclusions I have drawn from my sensory perceptions. But the perceptions themselves, no."

Practical Philosophy, Tuesday

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