What symbols mean for Wolfe

David Duffy · 26 Nov 2012, 11:55 · from 2012-November.txt.gz

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From: David.Duffy at qimr.edu.au (David Duffy)
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:55:04 +1000
Subject: (urth) What symbols mean for Wolfe
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On Mon, 26 Nov 2012, Daniel Petersen wrote:

> Some passages struck me as flirting with some sort of determinism (even if
> compatibilist), but I can't recall where offhand.  Does anyone see any
> evidence of *libertarian* freewill in BotNS?  I think I agree with Bill's
> analysis of Severian's choices being central to shaping the turnings of his
> story, which does look more like libertarian freewill than anything else to
> me.  If the more determinist notions do exist in the text as I recall, then
> I assume what we have is a wrestling between the two philosophies in the
> series rather than a clear espousal or embodiment of one over the other.

Clearest in his treatment of the chems.  That is, you may not necessarily 
own even your thoughts, but there are still occasions where you get the 
opportunity to make meaningful decisions, and making the correct one can 
lead to further expansion of your freedom.  And in _Soldier of Sidon_, if 
you have arete (are virtuous), you choose to be the best slave that you 
can be.

David Duffy.

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