| ISSUES AND DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING THE FREE |
What constitutes the philosophy of Gor is basically that collected foundation of reasoned thought upon which John Norman developed his fictional world and the cultures populating it. Though his intentions do not seem to have been the production of a structured philosophical treatise, he did present a series of clearly considered ideas on humanity and society, and through his stories showed these ideas in practice. In this way the novels take on the dimension of an allegory, fiction which suggests certain ideas and concepts, further encouraging the reader to consider these suggestions in relation to his own experience. Some who read the books recognize these assertions and agree with them, finding a line of thought that is in keeping with their own beliefs. The ideas and scenarios expressed in the novels challenge these people to examine themselves and their society, to question why things are as they are, and to determine for themselves just what is correct and what is "truth," instead of simply accepting what they have been taught. This examination can have a profound effect, one that leads to those so involved incorporating what they have discovered into their own personal outlook on the world and understanding of how it works. The result of this is a marked influence upon one's individual lifestyle choices, sometimes even going so far as to develop into an adherence to a particular lifestyle itself, one that is based upon what has been found. The Gorean lifestyle involves the practical application of these suggestions to one's life and one's relationship with the world. The word "lifestyle" indicates a particular way of living and the word "Gorean" defines just what particular way that is. There are many different ways a person can actually lead a Gorean lifestyle, but what is held in common are the beliefs and values which constitute the philosophy at its base. The intent in this is not to pretend Gorean society is real, or to refute one's own world for the delusion of a fictional one, but to take the examples and ideas the author presents at the core of these things, and distill the basic views that are suggested through them. The characters in the books, and the tales which are their lives, present a series of events and conditions. How these characters interact and what system of thought motivates their activities and resulting behaviors is what defines the system of values which constitute what "Gorean" is. Free Persons
Free persons within Sardaria are defined as those who follow a Gorean lifestyle and are accepted by their peers as being honest in their claims. While we do not bother to judge those outside our community beyond whatever may prove necessary due to a particular situation, it stands to reason that if someone is accepted into our group they must first be recognized by us as true in who they are and what they do. Sardaria is not a BDSM club, singles dating service, fantasy reenactment society, or gaming group, and we do not wish it to become any one of these things. In saying this we are not condemning what others do, but simply stating it is not what we do, and that those who seek such things are directed to search elsewhere, being wished luck in finding what they are looking for. Living this lifestyle is something that should be the result of a natural inclination towards things Gorean, coupled with an active understanding and acceptance of those ideas and themes which comprise what the word Gorean means, and together manifested in the application and display of these principles in one's daily life. In all, it is something that should be based in an honest acceptance of one's very nature, a recognition of personal truth that comes from inside the individual and is faced without embellishments or denials. Fictional characters of the sort created in a game really have no place in this type of community, for it is built upon reality with real people being its solid base. Those of Sardaria simply are who they are, regardless of the setting they find themselves in or whatever they may face in life. While a fictional atmosphere may be utilized at times, the only things assumed are externals, not personas, with the philosophical and cultural ideas presented in the novels being the basis of a lifestyle, not character creation in a game. The presented discussion constituting - Entering - Free Persons - is a further exploration of some of the themes associated with the Gorean Lifestyle and one's involvement with such things. The ideas presented in - Entering - Slaves - may likewise be of interest. Free Women
Those free women who are worthy of respect will receive it from those of Sardaria, much the same way that men earn such if they deserve it. These women retain their freedom, and in this case respect, in the eyes of the men around them as a reaction to certain qualities they possess, these foremost being a continuous display of the virtue, grace and dignity of a free woman, along with an observed and appreciated worth that would be somehow lost if that woman were taken as a slave and/or considered such. Gorean free women who are secure in what they are do not compete with men or challenge them as a means to seek attention or prove themselves, they have no need. Their dignity compels them to a higher standard, while an understanding of and pride in their sex removes any feeling of inferiority they may have due to a misinformed society's teachings. While deferential to dominant men, this somewhat submissive nature is not to be confused with the surrender of a slave girl. They can be quite outspoken, even challenging, and directly involved with the community around them in a very active way. Free women respect men for who and what they are, and in turn are acknowledged as something worthy of the same respect and recognition. They are companions to their men, providing them with the support, insight, wisdom, love and strength that is particular to a female, with their femininity being a compliment to the masculinity of the male, each bringing out more of the nature of the other. Simply declaring yourself a Gorean free woman does not make you so. While it is true you may be a woman, and may be free, the title you seek requires much more than just those things, or even a knowledge of Gor. True free women embody the glory and femininity of their sex, standing next to their men not as inferiors or competitors, but as women. This is something they must acknowledge in their own hearts, and be secure in, before they then seek the acceptance of the men who they would stand before. Anything less will be recognized for what it truly is. Caste
On Gor, the caste system is one of the primary components of social structure. It defines a man's place within society, his profession, beliefs, and outlook on the world. It is a brotherhood of sorts, and something of an extended family, similar in some aspects, though by far not all, to that of a guild or a union, but is much more than all of these things. It is something that one belongs to and identifies with, both for purpose and social interaction. It supports its members who in turn support and promote it. It is a thing of great pride and dedication, something tangible that is touched, praised and realized through the actions of its members and the work that they do. Each caste represents a particular trade or calling, a profession a man is born into and born to be, with his place in society being linked to his caste's place within the social system. This does not mean that some castes are seen as inferior to others, quite the contrary, each is quite proud of who and what they are, and recognize the worth that each caste has in providing skills that benefit the whole of society. This also does not mean a man who is better suited for a different trade cannot alter his caste from the one he was born into. What is natural to you is what you should strive to attain and participate in, though few actually accord themselves this option for caste loyalty is strong, and the instincts and abilities of the father are often handed down to the son, to say the least of pride. The community of Sardaria obviously exists within a different society from that found on Gor, our modern world having its own societal institutions that are for the most part not in keeping with the fictional Gorean world. For these reasons, it is really impossible to follow the Gorean caste system to the level that it is found on Gor, but this does not mean that those living a Gorean lifestyle cannot hold views and customs which are in keeping with particular castes they hold an affinity with, along with the general impression that system makes on society and man's place within it. Though the caste system is not an actual part of Gorean philosophy (it instead being a societal institution developed from these philosophical ideas), many within Sardaria have a caste which they have claimed, one that is often in keeping with their current profession, or one that may be related to some group that they feel a strong and obvious kinship with, even if it is different from their present occupation. In this way, even though those of our community might not be born into a certain caste and system as are those of Gor, each man is born with certain natural inclinations and innate abilities, and in a sense is "of" a particular caste as a matter of both who they are and what they were meant to be. The intention is to associate the ideas presented by Gorean philosophy through the caste system, to one's life, much in the same way as the notion of "slavery" (also not an actual part of Gorean philosophy, but again a societal institution) is so utilized. The attempt is not to imitate the fiction of Gor, but to use certain ideas, expressions and "paths" as something of a focus within the lifestyle. Those of a given caste were selected for it centuries ago through their ancestors and the blood that was passed down to them, making them drawn to a particular way of life. This deeply rooted tendency manifests itself through a person's inclinations and activities, the way affairs are conducted, his mindset, character, outlook on life and the world, and the way he carries himself. It is first nurtured through his upbringing and heritage, and further grown through his often unconscious dedication to the embracing and developing of his natural tendencies and skills. Such inclinations exist regardless of whether or not an institutionalized caste system does, and they are part of what makes each person a unique individual. The following of Gorean philosophy embraces this idea as a central theme, one encouraging each person to become who they are, and push to their greatest limits within their own individuality. This is seen not only as an honest recognition of the "self," but the greatest possible path to happiness -- through self-acceptance and the guiltless embracing of those instincts and drives we are naturally fulfilled through. The use of caste selection in Sardaria is meant to reflect this, not at all what one wishes they were or dreams of as a means to impress others, but what is felt to be inside the person and manifests itself through their beliefs and actions. In truth, not so much the choosing of a caste by the individual, as recognizing what caste has already chosen you, or in other words, what is inside of you regardless of name applied to it. There are no rigid caste structures within this community, no group-set caste regulations or fabricated molds, and the announced selection of caste is not even considered a necessity. Only the embracing of those instincts and drives that are normally associated with "caste," as a product of the philosophy of Gor, obviously are. From this, each man is left to fulfill his own quest for mastery over himself and his instincts, with what would be the role of caste strictures being discovered and enacted by each person on his own, in his own life, in response to what he learns and what courses he is driven to take. Caste is not simply a measure of the job that you do or applied for to make money. A caste is not just a profession, its a way of life that effects all a person is and is apparent through the even most routine and basic of his actions. It is a product of heritage, blood, upbringing, and embraced natural inclination. More than simple employment, caste is part of the definition of the man who it has claimed. It is something one is through action and behavior, and something recognized and appreciated by one's peers, particularly those already of that given caste. Dual Citizenship
There is no such thing as "dual citizenship" in Sardaria. If you wish to swear yourself to this community and its Home Stone, you cannot hold allegiance to or membership in another such group. Nothing is wrong with having close friends elsewhere, we simply do not wish loyalties to be divided within our own people. Property
The rights of an owner regarding his property are upheld by the community property laws. What a man has in his collar, is his. It is fully expected that each will respect the claims of other free persons with regard to their property. This does not mean that the property itself is to be respected, but the owners right to it and possession of it. Restriction of Slaves
Contrary to however many misinformed opinions, the restriction of slave use is in the books and was done by Gorean men. While not necessarily a thing always done, it is still the decision of the owner, the man who owns the given piece of property and whose right it is to decide how said property will be used. This does not mean that slaves were commonly allowed to behave in a manner not fitting what they were, or that they did not have to show proper respect to men and serve them, just that sometimes the extent of this service would be limited, and also that courtesy was normally shown to another man's wishes regarding what is his, particularly in his home. Use of another man's property against his command can be seen as a violation of his rights and an offense, for the deprivation of attention and sexual use are a common form of punishment that an unknowing outsider might well contradict through his actions, besides simply being a form of trespassing unless permission is stated or otherwise clearly and recognizably implied. A girl walking the streets of a Gorean city unescorted would be considered to open to use by her master, his permission implied through how she is kept. While men who know one another and share each others company as friend normally display a high level of mutual respect, often even if they already know the girl will be given to them to use. Courtesy and hospitality is not so difficult to extend as to make "asking first" some sort of trying and taxing exercise.
