01. voice. angels dancing on the head of a pin

[ikanteven]

[ Chidi has been contemplating it ever since his arrival—what does the fact that people have powers here mean for the state of ethics in this world? Are people being responsible with what they’ve been given? Is everyone here like him, a person who could never have dreamed of having these types of powers in the worlds he came from?

In the end, he makes a decision that he needs to get more input before deciding. The communicator he’s been given is familiar technology, and he has no problem navigating its interface. He turns on the voice function and begins to broadcast. ]

I have a question for everyone here. Actually, a few questions. I’d like to get everyone’s input, if I can—don’t feel like you’re bothering me with your answer. I want to know everyone’s experience with this and everyone’s opinion.

First, a little background on me. My field of expertise is in the field of ethics and moral philosophy. I have written a lot about this subject, and I’d like to start a new study based on how these fields may be different in this world than in the one I was trained in.

So, here are my questions:

One: Do you personally come from a world where people have the kinds of powers that they have here? Furthermore, did you have powers yourself?

Two: If so, what were the moral and ethical implications of people deciding to use these powers, or choosing not to use them? And if not, do you feel a moral and ethical obligation to use your powers to help people?

And three: Do you consider yourself a good person?

Comments

[d33tached]

Then I’m afraid I don’t know how to answer your question.

[ikanteven]

I only wanted the answers that people felt were appropriate to give under their own definition of the words. I didn't want people to rely on mine.

[d33tached]

Unfortunately, my position still stands. As far as I can tell, what constitute "good" and "bad" is rather subjective.

[ikanteven]

Indeed. That's sort of my point.

[d33tached]

[Yes, well. That being said...]

I've no interest in sharing any details on the matter with you, but for your research, I would say that by the most standard definitions, I don't suppose I would consider myself to be a "good" person.

I really see no use in such things.

[ikanteven]

All right. That's acceptable for my purposes.

Were there superpowers where you were from?

[d33tached]

Not to my knowledge, no.

[Then again, he spent his entire life underground, so he never really knew his world all that well anyway.]

[ikanteven]

That brings up an interesting point, doesn't it? Knowledge of such powers is required in order to really consider the issue, but...perhaps we should have all been ready all along.

[d33tached]

How exactly do you suggest one prepare for being thrust into another universe and supplied with inhuman abilities? I suspect that there are a great many of us who never once considered that what's happened to us was any sort of possibility.