The Sentimental Agents in the Volyen Empire

patterns of socio-logic

I If a certain ruler is by definition in the right, because he incarnates the forward thrust of History, then a failure in an assignment set by him, or bis ministers, by definition is an act of hostility to History itself. Using socio-rhetorical measurements, calculate what punishments are appropriate.

1) Death. 2) Severe torture. 3) Imprisonment.

IISince none of us know the results of our actions,

calculate the penalties appropriate for doing anything

at all.

1) Death. (Obviously there can be only one answer to this question.) III In the Shikastan Northwest fringes, there was a period when females were deemed to be wicked according to criteria (verbal formulae) arbitrarily established by a male religious ruling class, tortured to make them confess, and then burned to death. Their families, if any, or what possessions they might have had, were made to pay for, or sold to pay for, the cost of the firewood used to burn them with, as well as the time and efforts of the interrogators and the executioners.

This beautiful, matchless example of Logic only gives up its treasures to an effort of real contemplation. Contemplate it and then discuss. IV Read The Thoughts of President Motz. Then, extending Sirian 'Virtue' in its various dimensions, assess the degree of Subjective and Objective Guilt in the following story:

A devoted supporter of the Party of Virtue makes an error of judgment that causes several million people to die from starvation, his or her stated objective and intention being to establish a Rule of Virtue designed to better the lot of these same millions. V Calculate how many moves on the Logistic Spiral it needs to get from 'This person is an embodiment of the finest flower of the class of Virtue' to 'Look at what has just crawled out of the woodwork!' VI Calculate on the Logistic Spiral the parameters of: 'He who is not with us is against us.' Discuss. VII Draw, paint, sculpt, or in some other way portray your conception of the Logic of History. VIII Thesis: Sirian Virtue by definition must improve whichever parts of the Galaxy it reaches.

Antithesis: But in fact it spreads tyranny, misery, enslavement and deprivation. Synthesis: ?

Grice looked very much better. He was sallow and hollow-faced still, but knew at once who we were, and greeted us cheerfully.

'This planet is about to be invaded,' I said.

'Wouldn't you know it,' he moaned, relapsing. 'Of course, as soon as I get here, where I can feel it's doing me good, then naturally Sirius is going to invade. What else could you expect?'

'I'm afraid you are far from cured,' I said. 'But it isn't going to be Sirius. So cheer up.'

'Oh, you mean about my being a spy!' he said, sulking. 'Well, I've been thinking quite a bit about it. If a spy is one who betrays bis country's interests, and if it turns out that actually, by some quirk or other of history – sorry, I mean dynamic of history – or by the logic of events, the said country is in the long run benefited by his actions...'

'You could feed the question into your Rhetorical Computers,' I said.

But he will be all right.

The planet Motz, demoralized, confused, unable to prescribe remedies for itself, remembers Grice, who sat in the stolen library reading, Grice talking of socio-economic laws, Grice, who they thought was a madman.

They want to invite him back as an adviser on Comparative Planetology. I shall advise him to accept.

Since Ormarin is still away, I am taking the opportunity to 'dry out.' It is no good pretending that I have been unaffected by the plu-super-emotionality of recent events. Incent too feels in need of a respite. We shall become voluntary patients in Basic Rhetoric, Withdrawal-of-All-Stimuli Department. The tall, dim, silent, isolated room in the hotel on Volyen is inspired by it.