fandomhigh | Morality of Action, Wednesday Afternoon

"The concept of cruelty has fascinated all societies," Kreia began. They would find themselves in a large, grey classroom, bereft of light - the Danger Shop, but not a particularly inspiring creation within it. "Why do men become monsters? One theory this particular world seems enamored with is that power naturally inspires cruelty and abuse."

She waved her hand towards the back. There was a simulated prison there, prisoners and all. "Many decades ago, scientists on this planet ran an experiment. They created a prison, and divided their subjects into two groups: prisoners and guards. The experiment was ended after six days, because the circumstances had grown inhumane. This came to be, the scientists claimed, because putting power over another being in one being's hands would inevitably lead to that being abusing their prisoner."

She dropped her hand. "But these results were manipulated," she said. "The true cruelty sat in the hands of those who created the experiment, forced their charges to play roles, misled them and pushed them to make circumstances worse than they had been. Yet for decades, this experiment stood as a true study of the nature of the people of this place."

Disappointed, as always. "What does this tell you about the circumstances that inspire cruelty?" she asked. "About its uses? And could the behavior of these scientists be justified? Do you feel there was some true worth to their beliefs about the source of needless cruelty, despite the taint upon this experiment - that something as simple as merely wielding power corrupts, always?"

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"Power is power," Illyana said neutrally. "Can it come from a tainted source, which can influence the unwary? Of course. But the fact remains the power itself is a tool, and how it is used is the responsibility of the wielder."

She gestured in the direction of the prison. "In this case, a tainted power flowed from the scientists, to easily manipulated children to create the outcome they anticipated. It's no wonder the whole thing twisted."

"Some people choose cruelty because it's easy. Others because it's safe, or fun, or as self-protection. Power just makes it easier to choose cruelty because it wards against consequences."

Liliana looked over to Illyana, beaming. "Well-spoken, darling," she said.

Kreia nodded. It might go too far to call her clearly pleased about the answer - for when was she clearly pleased about anything? - but she did not seem to directly disagree.

"Why do you believe it is so tempting to blame power for our own sins?" she asked. "Why might these scientists be so eager to prove this conclusion?"

"Any 'good man' can succumb to temptation," Illyana said dryly. "It puts the blame on the external factor."

"It is much harder to admit to yourself that the weakness was always within you, that you have always been capable of evil, and when granted the ability to behave as you want, you folded like a paper airplane." She whooshed her hand through the air as she said it. "Oh no, you have been taken by the winds of fate. It is not your fault, it was the nature of power to corrupt what it touches!"

"Because it is one thing to intellectually know that no one is infallible, and that all people are capable of 'sin.'" Yes, you could probably hear the air quotes. "It is another to admit that you made a choice, and that choice hurt other people, and you were not possessed by a ghost or a demon or some other entity overriding your free-will."

Morality of Action, Wednesday Afternoon

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