Alien Monsters

Jeff Wilson · 06 Aug 2010, 20:00 · from 2010-August.txt.gz

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From: jwilson at io.com (Jeff Wilson)
Date: Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:00:18 -0500
Subject: (urth) Alien Monsters
In-Reply-To: <4C5C382D.7060209 at verizon.net>
References: <442106.64956.qm at web37903.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
	<4C5C382D.7060209 at verizon.net>
Message-ID: <4C5C69D2.8090509 at io.com>

On 8/6/2010 11:28 AM, David Stockhoff wrote:
> I agree. Severian obeys when he can.

That's not much of a restriction given Severian's gift of rationalization.

Of course Severian is mostly obedient to the written and unwritten rules 
of his society, but is also keenly aware that the occasions that he 
hasn't obeyed have been rather on the extreme side. Upon his return to 
the throne in URTH he admits that he is a doer of great evil like 
Baldanders as well as a doer of great good, and that most people are 
likewise creatures given to both.

It is probably Severian's adherence to moral if not legal rules that 
enable him to be such a successful rule-breaker, since his acquaintances 
and collaborators have good reason to believe he can be trusted to do 
what evil crime is necessary and then stop. Just make sure he isn't 
required to torture a woman he's had sex with.

-- 
Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com
IEEE Student Chapter Blog at
< http://ieeetamut.org >

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