WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF GOR?

In my last blog entry I had mentioned the three stages of Gorean thought and mentioned the Philosopher, one who accepts some of the philosophy as an element of established BDSM tradition, and the Lifestyler, one who lives the Gorean Philosophy to the best of his or her ability. Now, many of you might be asking what the Gorean Philosophy is, and Marcus of Ar had written two items on the Gorean Philosophy, which will be listed in this entry and the next one.

WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF GOR?

by _Marcus_ of Ar

That is a difficult question to answer: there are as many philosophies on Go as there are people to embrace them. Rather than ask what is the philosophy of Gor, perhaps it is better to examine ALL of the philosophies of Gor, and try to discover the unifying factors which they have in common. These, then, are the basic tenets upon which the Gorean philosophy is based.

Throughout the 25 books which make up the chronicles of counter-earth, certain principles and beliefs are often repeated, which the narrator proclaims are widely held by Goreans in general. I have selected several of these, the principles which in my opinion seen to be the foundation for the basic Gorean system of ethics.

1) Be WHAT you are: Similar in many respects to a tenet set forth by the Earth philosopher Marcus Arelius; namely that each thing which exists possesses its own unique singularity. When a thing attempts to be something it is not, problems arise. A man is a man; a woman is a woman, a tree is a tree, a flower is a flower. To the Gorean mind, it is foolish for anything to assume the properties of another thing. Therefore, each person is required to understand his or her basic nature, and to abide by it. According to such a tenet, therefore, it is assumed that there are needs, desires, and activities which are specifically masculine, and those which are specifically feminine. Though the lines may blur at times, when all things are reduced to their basic forms, each thing is appreciated and celebrated for its own uniqueness, and is not forced to assume properties of another, different, thing.

2) Be WHO you are: This tenet applies in regard to a person’s existence in society and the caste structure. It takes into account the fact that everyone possesses certain talents and abilities from birth, regardless of their familial caste. Therefore, upon Gor a person is free to raise his or her caste on the basis of ability. This also applies in regard to freedom and slavery. To the Gorean mindset, each person is born with a desire for freedom, and an innate slave nature. A person’s proper place in society is dependant upon how these two factors are balanced within the personality of that particular Gorean. most Goreans believe that anyone who has within them a burning desire to exist free of structures will not suffer slavery, dying rather than submitting to bonditude. A person who has within them a strong slave nature, the desire to be controlled and commanded, will eventually succumb to their inner need to serve others, free of all responsibility to things other than themselves and their service.

3) Obey the Natural Order of things: This tenet applies to the way Goreans view the world around them. They feel it is futile to attempt to disregard the effect of hundreds of generations of evolution If a creature is naturally genetically superior to another, then it is considered fitting and proper that such a creature should dominate other, less developed creatures. In regards to human beings, it is understood that the stronger and/or more intelligent members of the race should be allowed to assume their rightful place in command of their inferiors. In regard to male/female sexual relations, it is therefore the right of the male, who is genetically predisposed for physical dominance, to control the physical aspects of his relationship to the female. In return, he is expected to behave as the hunter/provider, seeing to the protection of the female to insure the propagation of the race. Females, meanwhile, who tend to be smaller and less physically powerful, are expected to respect the biological truths of their lesser physical nature, while making the most of their genetic predisposition to serve and aid the male, and utilizing their superior emotional empathy and long-term endurance to do so while surviving and advancing the species. Not all women are slaves, though the female sex is often referred to by males as “the slave sex.” Gorean females are simply expected to respect and understand that they are less able in areas requiring raw physical strength than their male counterparts, and adjust their behavior accordingly. When one considers the fact that personal combat to the death is a daily occurance throughout Gor, such behavior among Gorean women is a wise practice to say the least.

4) Advancement of the Strong: This tenet is similar to that described above; it simply refers to the common Gorean belief that strength, whether it is physical strength, mental strength, or strength of will, should be celebrated and set forth as an example. In this way the Gorean feels he advances the human race, adding to its chances for survival and continued existence.

5.) Subjugation of the Weak: This principle acts as the inverse to the tenet above. In order that the race may grow stronger, it is necessary that the weaker and lesser adaptive elements of Gorean society be diminished and controlled. Warfare and slavery are two methods by which this end is accomplished.

6) Do what you will: This is one of the key principles to Gorean philosophy; basically, it means that every Gorean is expected to strive within the limits of his or her existence to achieve self-fulfillment and lasting happiness. A Warrior may draw his sword and lead an army to conquer a city, if he is strong enough and fit enough to do so. A freewoman may attempt to contract a profitable companionship or to build a financial empire, if she is strong enough and clever enough. Even a slave is expected to seek her deepest self-fulfillment within the bonds of her Master’s chains. In such a manner, each Gorean is expected to strive and achieve something for the collective Gorean society, and struggle to attain perfection within the structure of that society. To the Gorean mind, there are always possibilities for advancement no matter what the situation.

7) Responsibility for One’s Actions: This tenet is based upon the Gorean concept of basic “Cause and effect.” It is through the practice of this principle that the rest of the tenets listed above make sense, and function. This is the belief that everyone, no matter how great or horrible, chooses the course of his or her destiny. When a Warrior draws his sword, he can expect to suffer the consequences. When a Gorean submits to the bonds of slavery, he or she is expected to acknowledge and accept what occurs afterward. In such a way every choice made by every single Gorean is inextricably bound together with the choices of his or her fellow Goreans in a great interlinking web of cause and effect, a massive net of fate which moves the race forward into the future like an unstoppable juggernaut. Do whatever you want to, but expect it to effect you, either for good or ill. You are responsible for yourself. Excuses are futile and no one wants to hear them anyway. If you screw up, take your medicine, deal with the situation, and move on to the next thing. The basic rules and maxims of the various caste codes and fundamental principles for Gorean honor seen to be based mostly on this concept; this, in effect, is the explanation for Gorean “cruelty.” Goreans are not cruel, they are practical. “That which does not kill them makes them stronger,” to paraphrase from Nietzsche. If you wear the collar of a slave, look like a slave, act like a slave, and do not either fight your way to freedom or die in the attempt, then you must really be one. In any case, you were free at one point… so what happened? You either needed to be a slave, were too weak to stay free, or screwed up really bad somewhere along the way. Whatever the case, deal with it. Life is not fair, and most Goreans are far too practical to try to make it so. Life sucks. If you get hit on the head, don’t waste time crying about it… accept it and next time wear a helmet.

Gorean philosophy is, in many cases, a zero sum equation. A Gorean must look within himself for the strength to contain his emotions, so that he may see with objectivity what is needed and required to bolster the Gorean philosophies and maintain his honor through positive action.

This, then, i my perception of basic Gorean philosophy.

It may not seem fair to you, or perhaps even make much sense from your particular point of view, but I doubt most Goreans care. They have little time for debate, as they are too busy living.

To paraphrase the words of a well known Gorean author:

“An Earthling might very well examine the principles of Gorean philosophy and ask this question: `Why so hard?’

A Gorean would probably shrug, examine the principles of modern Earth philosophy, and answer with the question:

`Why so soft?’”

Of course, that’s just an opinion. I could be wrong.

_Marcus_

I hope that helps with some who wonder what the philosophy of Gor is, and will apply some if not all of it to their own particular roleplay, whether they be slave or Free.

THE THREE STAGES OF GOREAN THOUGHT

Here are more wonderful words from the one known as Marcus of Ar, written in 1999, in which he brings out the three different levels of thinking like a Gorean.

THE THREE STAGES OF GOREAN THOUGHT

I am of the opinion that each individual who seeks to understand Gor passes through at least three distinct stages of transition as they move towards a deeper understanding of Gorean philosophy. I have unofficially classified those stages as follows:

Stage I: The Roleplayer (Believes that Gor is not real in any way, shape or form

Stage II: The Philosopher (Accepts some of the philosophy as an element of established BDSM tradition

Stage III: The Lifestyler (Lives the Gorean Philosophy to the best of his or her ability)

To my way of thinking, one must pass through each stage, in turn, in order to gain a full realization of what actual Gorean interaction is all about. Until one has done so, then one simply does not have the necessary understanding to fully accept the existence of the other “stages.”

Therefore, to one who is locked in Stage I, there are no such thing as stages II and III. Until one comes to understand them, to that individual, they simply do not exist.

Hence the Stage I folks with their constant arguments of “Gor is not real.” To them, at that point, it is not.

When they hit Stage II, they begin to understand that SOMETHING real is going on. But because of their earlier beliefs (characterized by Stage I or “gamer” thinking) they attempt to define the “real” elements as being something other than Gorean, because, to their understanding, “Gor is not real.” A holdover from Stage I.

When they hit Stage III, as defined above, they understand that Gor is indeed real in a certain sense, and it actually impacts upon their lives. They have passed through stages I and II, understand the role-playing elements for what they are (and even appreciate them for their entertainment value), understand that there is actual offline interaction in the BDSM community which parallels, to some extent, what we could call Gorean interaction (Stage II), and they come to understand that the Gorean philosophy is real and applicable in ways they never thought possible.

Trouble is, no one acknowledges the existence of the higher stages until they get there themselves. Until they do, as far as they are concerned, what they happen to be doing at the time is “all there is.”

People, like water, all eventually find their own level of involvement in anything they participate in. But when someone finds a level they like and just sits there, and fails to acknowledge the existence of something other than themselves, trouble invariably ensues.

When, say, an individual who considers all Gorean interaction to be merely a game (Level I) and insists that because they feel that way, that EVERYONE should play with them, then tempers flare and things get sticky.

When someone who has been through the gaming crucible and has reached the other side of it stands up, looks back, and tells those who still consider it all to be “just empty fantasy” that there is something more to it, do the gamers listen? Rarely. Typically they hurl back insults and derision. Hence, arguments ensue, and the individual who claims that there is more to being Gorean than Stage I tends to be called nasty little epithets like “elitist” and “would-be ruler.” This is simply how human nature functions. If you don’t happen to understand how something can exist, then deny its existence. If someone implies that they have achieved something which you have not, then hate them for it.

Eventually in the face of such response, most have come to understand that there is more to something (in this case, Gorean interaction) than the many would dare admit, wind up getting labelled “false prophet” by the unenlightened, and stoned to death. Sometimes they keep plugging away at it, trying to show others what they have learned. Sometimes they lose heart and turn away. And sometimes, if they are dedicated enough, and care enough, they keep coming back, trying to educate others and impel them to move forward.

I know someone like that, a guy who was one of the first to figure out that there was something poignantly real and inarguably valid about the philosophy expressed in the Gor books … the guy who proved to me, through example, that Gor could be loved, and lived, in our modern world, and who brought me out of the shadows to share my views with others who might learn to live a Gorean philosophy.

You know him as Bear. And he still, to this day, being burned in effigy by angry mobs of self-proclaimed Goreans to whom his very existence is proof that they have not yet come to understand that, although one might not be able to be a “Gorean” Gorean, one can be an “Earth” Gorean, which can be pretty damn close.

Anyone who has ever met the man, and looked into his eyes, knows instantly that he is the real deal: one of the first of us to cross over into being Gorean offline as well as online. I have personally met him, and can attest to this fact. Like Zeb, he was Gorean at heart years before he ever logged into his first chat room, and has simply used the online media to share what he has learned. Unfortunately, both of these men, being Gorean at heart, rarely bother to assume an artificial air of politeness in their dealings with others. If they respect someone, it is known. And if they do not, then that, too, is also known, nor do they make any excuses about it or sugar coat their feelings to placate the mob.

They are honest, and tell it like it is. Some people just can’t seem to handle that, for some reason. I, on the other hand, appreciate it, since I have seen that very principle plainly expressed in 25 books from which I derive much of my personal philosophy.

Taken in that context, all of the online activity, the biases, the complaints and mutterings, make perfect sense.

After you read this, think long and hard about what level you are at and if you WANT to move forward and learn more. If not, then expect more arguments and dissensions amongst all Goreans nowadays, thereby further causing strife and dissension amongst those who have a love for Gor and all things Gorean.

 

MY GOR? YOUR GOR? NO! IT IS JOHN NORMAN’S GOR AND SHOULD BE OUR GOR

I posted this quote by Marcus of Ar (from his Silk and Steel website) earlier this year on the other PG Board and reprinted it on other boards. These were his words in the By the Book column he had from November, 1997 through March, 1998. These words, which were written to start his By the Book column on December 25, 1997, were true then and just by looking at what Gor has become now I hope we look back on his words then and follow through on his hope.

Tal Goreans!

I pen these words at the end of what has been a very long and confusing year on Gorean IRC. The online community fragments constantly, sometimes splitting into smaller and smaller pockets of like-minded individuals, each of which has it's own unique views and feelings regarding Gor. But at the same time, many of these isolated pockets of online Goreans seem to be moving in the same direction, like separate trickles, eddies, and currents drawn by the inexorable pull of gravity down to the sea ... or in this case, to Thassa.

I find that gratifying, to say the least. Gor is too big and amazing to be the sole domain of a select vew individuals, and has always been so. As I have often said in the past, MY Gor does not exist; it is Norman's vision, combined with our own hopes and dreams, which give life to our channels and online society. I only hope that one day the very concept of "my Gor" or "your Gor" evaporates, to be replaced by OUR Gor. Then, and only then, will I have come home. Until then, I will try to light a few lamps so we might all see better as we fumble through the fog toward the truth about what Gor is, what it is like, and what it signifies.

 

The reason for the influx of many of these rooms and sites is because we have lost the vision of Gor and what it was in the books. Let us try to reclaim it before it is too late. 

SLAVES AND TRAINING

 

I am of the theory that no matter how long a slave has been on Gor, whether is it 2 months or 10 years, she is to undergo training. Recently I had a slave resist the training because she said she knows it all and as such she does not need to go through it again. My feeling is that even the oldest of old school slaves still go through the same procedures for the simple reason that it is burned in their minds and also ensures that they do not forget how to do it and as such become lax and lazy. I was going through the books and found that in some training the slaves had to do the same thing over and over many times for one week. All too often nowadays it is getting to where the slaves run things and the Free are allowing them to do so.  It all falls back to training, and I know I am guilty of this as well, but if the Free (myself included) would train the slaves to THEIR specificity and how THEY feel the slaves should be trained then most of these problems today with the slaves would be a thing of the past.

Something for all to keep in mind

As I was perusing the Boards, I came across this little piece of wisdom which all should know and keep in mind.

(from Role play 101)

Role play 101

1. Entrances
A large pet peeve of many is the entering of Cities, Villages, Camps, Structures and Forests. Be alert and aware of where you enter. If it is in a forest there will be no gates, nor can a Tarn land you within the trees so you must be creative and find a way to enter. If in a City usually the people present are NOT within one spot. The City is large so you would have to approach the site they are in. Nodding to guards perhaps conversing. Seeing towers in some of the Cities that have them. Acknowledge your surroundings as you enter to interact. It is good to be versed in some knowledge and if without that knowledge ask in whisper then proceed if guided. Nothing is worse then having roleplay interrupted by those just walking in and talking.
2. Acknowledging others
So many times we see people greet and talk to those within a room having not had the ability to know them prior. You are a Stranger if you have not met before so behave as such. If your characters have met before then it is fine to acknowledge and proceed with interaction. Just because you can see the other character's names in the room list do not just call them by name, introduce yourself perhaps or acknowledge you are Strangers if this hasn't occurred between the two characters as of yet.
If for some reason though a stranger to you appears in a room and addresses you, do not immediately jump them foregoing the roleplay experience itself but perhaps turn the interaction into them perhaps having heard of you and maybe from where. Two wrongs do not make a right and both can have ill effects on the roleplay as a whole. As far as npc characters go there is a time to use them to help you enter and would be ideal for either guards and escorts allowing interaction though the venue is small at the time. It creates more appeal to be able to realistically see the entrance.
3. Be realistic
Another large pet peeve is realistic roleplay. Just because you are a pixel in this realm do not all of a sudden acquire super hero powers. You are human, Goreans were human. You cannot scale large buildings or gates, you cannot see behind you unless you turn your head, you cannot know things unless they have been discussed with you within the roleplay. Just because you have seen things on a community board giving you knowledge your character has not. Your character has to discover things on their own. Have fun with it and be creative. One of my greatest irritations in Gor is the use of im to call for help. This wasn't feasible, there were no telepathic qualities on Gor. What is occurring in the room is occurring and those not present would be in ignorance of them.
4. Perfect your art
…read ..read…read…learn your environment and make it happen to come alive. You are a participant once you enter and it is your responsibility to uphold your portion of interaction. Slaves practice endlessly to let you see them, this is not something a Free needs to not do either. Let us see you…become real and create the vision.
5. Talking of earth and everyday life
Talking of everyday life within a chat room while roleplay is occurring is just plain rude. Take it to im, to me that is the purpose of im, real life. Don't spoil others enjoyment as you learn.
6. Be Serious
If you seriously approach to learn most will help and interact showing you ways to portray your character but the burden of creativeness will still lie on your shoulders. It is an art and fun as so many will witness to you. Learn by doing and go slowly. Observe with limited banter until you are comfortable within this forum.
7. Gor isn't for a day
Gor itself cannot be learned in a day. If you come seeking to find sexual gratification you will be sadly disappointed. Nothing in life worth having or living is without effort. Learn what it is that you want and grow within your role. For everything you take you should also be ready to give.

 

Salty Old Bastard

The decline of online Gor (part 3)

In my last entry I began to delve deeper into the problems plaguing online Gor, beginning with how people play too much on others' RT emotions and also rely on their own RT emotions to the point that they are letting the emotional baggage from RT dictate what they can and cannot do and how they should act. There is another thing that is plaguing online Gor these days. That thing is accountability or a lack thereof.

On many homepages and message boards nowadays it has been said that you WILL be held accountable for your words and as far as with thoughtposts, the saying goes "you post it you own it." And yet I had seen a case of one person posting a list of people who are no longer welcome in his Home (Free or slave) because of how they act and he got ripped for it. Now he is making those people accountable for their actions, moreso as a warning that the person in question will do the same thing in the future and yet there are those saying he is in the wrong. Now, I am all for a second chance, but it is when the person ABUSES that chance constantly that the line has to be drawn somewhere. This is a case of people having their cake and eating it too, as all too often we HEAR about holding people accountable for their actions and when one person actually does it many are like "Well you cannot do that."

To use another example from what I had seen in my own real life, it is like my roommate who said that his job is stressing him out and he is considering just turning in the keys to the company van and walking away because his brother who works with him is causing the most stress. Now, my roommate's brother asked him if he was actually thinking of doing such and when he said that he was indeed thinking of doing such his brother moaned and whined. My roommate is accountable for his actions, yet it is his brother messing up and not being accountable because of certain things. I use that as an example of how we say that accountability should be paramount and yet when one person does something to hold another accountable that person is being made out to tbe the bad guy. We ALL meed to be held accountable for our words and deeds, whether here in Gor or in our own real lives.

Again, these words and opinions are mine and I am always open for a discussion on these words among adults and not let this be a big argument as I had seen many develop into nowadays. My Messengers are ALWAYS open for discussion.

The decline of Gor (part 2)

Last year I began writing about the downfall of Gor and posted 2 articles I had written between 1998 and 2000 and also how those words held true today. Over the past few months I have seen many things which have only served to add to the downfall of online Gor. As a matter of fact, this past week alone I had seen one Free Person shelve because of an incident and a bounty from a Home he left, one slave shelve while in captivity because she did not like how the roleplay turned out. And just earlier this day a Free was lambasted by a slave because the Free did not respect the slave's OOC wishes to not be collared. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I am here today to say that when we ALL, whethwer we play a Free or a slave, put in our HTML codes and hit the little Submit button, we enter one world and leave the other behind. Yes, that even includes RT emotional baggage. Only when we do that we can put our TOTAL FOCUS AND ENERGY into the persona we created. to make a comparison to such, allow me to draw from something I had seen firsthand. My roommate had come home from a hard day at work and when he enters the gate surrounding our property he comes home to unwind from the stress his job brings, but there had been some days in which he comes home and he is so stressed out it is like he is bringing his work home with him. One thing I told my roommate is that I do not care what happens on the other side of the gate because I am only concerned with the plot of land that my house is on and the people inside it. We come to Gor pretty much to unwind from the stress RT brings, but there are some people who bring the stress from RT into the roleplay. Now I admit I had done the same thing on occasion, but it is very rarely and even then if it gets to be too much I step away from the computer and calm down. When I come to Gor I do not worry about how things are RT from the time I hit the enter key (or submit button) until the time I leave the room or log off of Gor for the night because I focus ALL OF MY TIME AND ENERGY into my roleplay and to the personna I created. In my opinion, Gor started declining to the mess it is in now because people rely too much (and also play) on RT emotions more than the roleplay itself and how it turns out. I currently have 2 slaves in my personal steel who are damned good roleplayers in their own rights. Now occasionally they do something to upset me and I had to punish them, but they know that it is all a part of life on Gor and as such they accept their part in life as slaves. All I am saying is that we should worry about roleplaying our personnas to the best of our abilities and not bring RT emotions into play too much as when we bring RT emotions too much into the roleplay, then in my opinion we lose focus as to what Gor is really all about.

The words I share here are my own opinions. If you feel different and wish to speak with me on this, feel free to ping me on my Messenger services or in an email. I am ALWAYS up to and open for good ADULT discussions which do not degenerate into the arguing and backbiting I see nowadays. Let us settle the differences like the rational, calm adults we are.