Uz pee-ess-why-chology

From: Bryan J. Maloney <bjm10_at_cornell.edu>
Date: Sun, 27 Aug 1995 20:54:35 -0400 (EDT)


I think the entire argument about Uz psychology and morals, or lack thereof, revolves around a single axiomatic question.

Are Uz psychologically complete beings?

If they are not, that is, if they are merely literary symbols, then they can validly be argued to not have a moral sense. This is Sandy's entire premise. Sandy's Uz are literary constructions, without complete psyches. These Uz co-exist with fey folk, Dianic bathers who strike blind those of impure souls, etc. In fact, Sandy's Uz ARE fey folk. The world of these Uz presupposes a perfectly disjunct, qualitative difference between the human psyche and the rest of the universe.

If they are, that is, they are a complete alien, albeit fictional, sapient species, then they probably do have a moral sense, simply one that may be too alien for humans to understand. This is Dave's (and my) take on Uz. These Uz may be fictional, but they are every bit as psychically and spiritually complete as humans--simply on a frame that doesn't completely overlap with human thinking. These Uz are as real as cockroaches, as complete as any human. They co-exist with a world upon which moral questions are imposed by sapient beings, not inherent in the world's structure. The world of these Uz does not presuppose a disjunction between the human psyche and the rest of the universe. That is, the human mind is not a radical qualitative departure from "what has gone before".

However, these premises are axiomatic, undemonstrable, and ultimately unjustifiable on their own merits. One must invoke extra-world arguments of taste or game desires to choose one over the other. - --

Wiping up half a liter of baby diarrhea really gives you a sense of perspective.


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