Gift of Philosophy

When I say that all men have a mind which cannot bear to see the suffering of others, my meaning may be illustrated thus: even nowadays, if men suddenly see a child about to fall into a well, they will without exception experience a feeling of alarm and distress. They will feel so, not as a ground on which they may gain the favor of the child's parents, nor as a ground on which they may seek the praise of their neighbors and friends, nor from a dislike to the reputation of having been unmoved by such a thing. From this we may perceive that the feeling of commiseration is essential to man.

Violette woke up the next morning with the book in her hands. "Oh no!" she gasped. "I overslept again!"

She hurriedly slipped her shoes and coat back on and rushed outside into the halls of the Academy. Before she took two steps a massive figure blocked her path.

"So Violette, late for class again?" laughed Damon, the largest and most generally feared male student. "Do you know how long I've been waiting?"

"Get out of my way, Damon!" Violette exclaimed.

"No! Not till I have my revenge for my humiliation in Ethics class! I challenge you... to a Debate!"

The other students walking through the hall stopped and gasped.

"I don't have time for this!" Violette said. "Damon..."

"The rules are simple." Damon said, drawing his two-handed bastard sword. "Every attack and counterattack must be accompanied by a philosophical statement relevant to the Debate. Techniques are forbidden. That's right Violette, let's see what you can do without your witchcraft!"

"We don't even have a Judge." Violette said.

"These good folks will serve as our Judges." Damon said. "That is, if they don't want to get beaten to a bloody pulp after Aesthetics class!"

"Yes, Damon." nodded some of the people in the crowd that had begun to form. "We'll help to judge."

"I just wanted to get to class on time" Violette said sadly, looking down at her shoes. "But if that's the way you want it, Damon..."

She drew her rapier lightning-fast. "C'mon!"

"Allright!" Damon sneered, lifting his sword above his head. Suddenly he charged, roaring "It stands to reason that the gradual expansion of human population will eventually outstrip the planet's resources, forcing the governments to install a forced sterilization and euthanasia program to prevent widespread famine and plague!!"

"Never!!" Violette cried, rolling out of the way of Damon's murderous swing and leg-sweeping the massive student to the floor. "The idea of murdering innocents and denying men and women their basic right to procreate is so far removed from the basic ideals of the humanity you claim to work in the best interests of it smacks of demonism!"

"Hmph! Lousy wench!" Damon said, staggering to his feet. "I suppose your empty muddle-headed brain can concoct a better plan?"

"Penalty!" yelled one of the onlookers. "Kindly refrain from namecalling and keep all statements within the bounds of accepted philosophical tradition!"

"What is it with you, Violette?" Damon asked, slowly advancing in a half- crouch with his sword low to the ground, ready for a back overhead swing. You, one of the premier students of the Academy, protesting a plan that would reward ability, while ridding our world of the useless rabble that pollute our streets?"

"Who are you to measure a person's worth in the long run?" Violette asked, trying to circle around to Damon's backside. "A simple man that works hard and provides for his family, even while having no special talents or abilities, is worth a dozen high-powered Academy students who waste their days in degenerate alcoholism and conflict!"

The statement was just short of a penalty, but it hit its mark. "How dare you!" Damon roared, shifting his sword to his right hand to throw a vicious swing at Violette's neck. "Women! Like shopkeepers and cattle, blind to reality! Taste my steel!"

That was what Violette had been waiting for - Damon to lose his cool, let down his guard. She easily ducked under his wild attack, and plunged her rapier into his left shoulder. Instantly Violette danced back, dancing over Damon's violent countering ground slash. "It seems that I, a girl, has drawn first blood, after a blatantly sexist penalty statement! Surrender, Damon!"

"She's right!" yelled another onlooker. "It's a triple paradigm! If you continue, you risk everything, Damon! You can always get her later! C'mon man, have some sense!"

"Bah! This Debate has only begun!" Damon growled, clutching his wounded shoulder. "When I am done, all that will remain of Violette - and her philosophical standpoint - is a bloody mess of shredded limb and bone!"

1. "Man is meant for war! Woman for the entertainment of the warrior!" Damon yelled, throwing a vicious sideslash at Violette.
2. "What the hell is going on here?! An unauthorized Debate?!" exclaimed Dean Farigrazen, striding imperiously into the hall.

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