| SOMES WORDS ON SARDARIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE GOREAN NOVELS |
"Goreans tends to take such things as honor and truth very seriously."
- MAGICIANS OF GOR, Pg. 255
The Gorean novels of John Norman constitute the obvious core of any form of Gorean activity. To the RPer, they provide the nucleus of the environment upon which any RP is done, filling in the necessary information to develop a "world" upon which to interact. To the Lifestyler, the books are a starting point, collecting what is Gorean Philosophy and Sociology, and presenting the sum though concepts and principles both directly defined by the author, and actively portrayed through the actions of characters within the given scenes and stories. Sardaria too, finds its obvious basis in these books, taking from them the theoretical foundation for community structure and interaction, along with ideals and issues of a more personal nature which speak directly to the respective individual. This structure is found within the cultural norms and values of the Gorean peoples, as either clearly defined by the author, or presented through the actions of the protagonists within the plot of the stories. These ideas are then applied to how the community is run and its people interact, contributing to the body of city law, tradition and custom, and presenting clear guidelines for personal conduct within what would be expected of individuals in such a community. This is of course further tempered by the obvious boundaries of law and responsibility set by both modern society and common sense. Where concepts relating to this are not clearly defined in simple, direct terms, or plainly obvious to those applying an informed measure of common sense, they are delineated within the context of the stories and scenes taken as a whole. Reading the books and considering what is presented in relation to the question at hand will usually provide insight into finding an answer, if not the solution itself. The novels are not an answer guide to life's issues, but in this way provide examples useful for personal reflection, ones that present a particular and consistent mindset which challenges our learned way of thinking. Discussion over such things is also beneficial both to the finding of truth and the overall understanding of each person. Conversation of this type is highly encouraged in Sardaria, with channels and boards being presented for just such a reason. A man does not sit and wait for another to tell him what to do or to solve his problems, he seeks his solutions for himself. These answers can be had if one searches for them, just as with anything in life, and while the books are not a textbook for living, they obviously provide the basis for the world and culture of Gor along with definite views on corresponding subjects. The meaning of such things is not a matter open to biased or unfounded interpretation, for the themes and contentions presented intermesh to provide a clear philosophy whose facets work to support one another as would be expected, and can be readily seen by those willing to objectively look. The word interpretation itself is often an excuse used by those who are too lazy to take the time to read, comprehend or learn, along with those wanting to alter the relevant material to accommodate and justify their own desires and habits, however potentially contradictory these may be, and finally those parties simply seeking to blindly refute. Few contradictions regarding the beliefs and concepts of Gorean Philosophy and Sociology actually exist within the books, if the person looking takes the time to understand the context of given events. These occurrences are often tools used by the author to develop the given plot, but also are quite understandable events, considering what is presented in the books represents an entire world and its varied peoples. "Contradiction" is in truth a poor word to use to define things which occur outside the accepted norm, things which in reality would be natural events. Within any society there will be occurrences that do not fit into what is deemed acceptable, and these things, while being contradictory to what society might legally allow or feel is appropriate, do not present contradictions within what is commonly defined as normal, acceptable and within the stated or implied laws and customs of the land. If in the books a person breaks a known law or custom, this event is not necessarily presenting an accepted action within Gorean society, one to be emulated and allowed, it is rather showing that criminal or scandalous activity does obviously exist. Often what are seen as contradictions to the basic ideas inherent to the philosophy, are actually examples used by the author to contrast what is accepted within Gorean society and what is foreign or contradictory to the culture's mindset. While the action might well occur, it is the resulting reaction from others that provides the true point and clear answer. It is not so much an issue of what can occur within Gorean society, for in truth most anything could happen, it is more a matter of what would normally and routinely occur, and when the rare exception to this is faced, what common people will accept and allow to continue occurring. The possibilities might well be endless, but the tolerance of what is not accepted is very limited. It is within these things that the true cultural norms and ideals are found, with what people call contradictions actually reinforcing the strength and resolve of the central themes. Regarding the books, the wish in Sardaria is to follow the ideas presented as closely as possible, filling any gaps which might appear in a way obviously considered in keeping with the overall nature of Gorean culture. The goal is not to blindly follow and recreate the novels or their stories, or to live one's life as if on Gor or a character in a book, but to use the philosophical and sociological themes which are presented as the solid basis for our growth as a community, providing the foundation to develop from, and the clear guide for future progress.
SOMES WORDS ON SARDARIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE GOREAN NOVELS
"To take truth for granted is not to know it. Truth not won is not possessed. We are not entitled to truths for which we have not fought."- MARAUDERS OF GOR, Pg. 7"Culture decides what is truth, but truth, unfortunately, is unaware of this. Cultures, mad and blind, can die upon the rocks of truth. Why can truth not be the foundation of culture, rather than its nemesis? Can one not build upon the stone cliffs of reality rather than dash one's head against them?"- EXPLORERS OF GOR, Pg. 11"To be sure, even a fellow of genuine probity, one who is unlikely to nourish, reproduce, transmit, or credit a rumor in its infancy, may find himself uncritically accepting it later on, when it becomes 'common knowledge,' so to speak. Are we not all victims of hearsay, even with respect to many of our most profound 'truths'? Of our thousands, and hundreds of thousands, of such 'truths,' how many can we say we have personally earned?"- MAGICIANS OF GOR, Pg. 182"The name of truth all prize; the face of truth most fear. Yet I think the nature of truth is not that terrible. It is just that it is different, and more beautiful than the lies."- RENEGADES OF GOR, Pg. 100"Is it not safer to cower in the caves of lies than to stand upon the cliffs of truth, surveying the world? Yet when one stands in the sunlight, and feels the winds of reality, how dank and shameful seem the dark shelters of falsehood, and how foolish it seems then to have once feared daylight and fresh air."- FIGHTING SLAVE OF GOR, Pg. 103"We grow fond of our myths. Yet our myths are like walls of straw. Ultimately they must perish in the flames of truth."- GUARDSMAN OF GOR, Pg. 257"Truth, you see, has reality on its side. Truth’s problems do not derive primarily from the complexity of nature but from the simplicity of people. It is always more convenient to adopt a slogan than conduct an inquiry. Too, the often cold and flinty nature of truth may, to many people, understandably, constitute a poor substitute for the comforts of self-deception. Harmless lies, perhaps, improve the quality of human life. They do not, of course, improve its nobility or grandeur. I suppose a choice, as in many matters, must be made. Some will sleep late. Others will seek the stars."- BLOOD BROTHERS OF GOR, Pg. 264"But, why? I asked myself. Should not, rather, one be more ashamed by deceit than the truth? Can there truly be a greater honor in hypocrisy then in honesty? It does not seem so."- GUARDSMAN OF GOR, Pg. 257"I am a man,' said another. 'I repudiate the distinctions between knowledges. Knowledge is one. It is only knowers who are many.'"- KAJIRA OF GOR, Pg. 387"Gorean tends to take such things as honor and truth very seriously. Given his culture and background, his values, he is often easier to impose upon than would be many others. For example, he is likely, at least upon occasion, to be an easier mark for the fraud and charletan than a more suspicious, cynical fellow. On the other hand, I do not encourage lying to Goreans. They do not like it."- MAGICIANS OF GOR, Pg. 255
