Guns, honor, civilization, society and the social contract.
   By Arthur

Can a Gorean be honorable and still own and use guns? Must capital punishment be acceptable to consider yourself Gorean? Is killing an animal with a bow or spear intrinsically more honorable than doing so with a scoped rifle? What reasons within the Gorean philosophy might justify war? Is there a code of acceptable and unacceptable acts within the concept of war?

Do Goreans willingly pay taxes?

I sometimes wonder if it's not the answers that are so important, but whether or not we're asking the right questions. Some time ago some dear, young friends were expecting their first child. They came to my wife and I with many questions on parenting, and were concerned with their ability to properly raise their child. We reassured them they would be just fine; the fact that they were worried indicated to us that they'd be good parents - poor parents never doubt themselves, never question, never investigate a better way - the know-it-alls and don't-cares are the problems. Certainly it's more complex than that, but you get the idea. The beginning of wisdom is to start with "I don't know."

The ancient Celt and some Native American cultures were ok with stealing from one's enemies, some cultures believe vendetta acceptable, some cultures embrace toleration of different religious beliefs and within others you must embrace the state religion, some believe in monogamous marriage and some polygyny, some have democracy and some monarchy, some have slavery and some don't. Within each of these societies, though, there exists agreement as to what is acceptable and honorable. The differences in these beliefs, between societies, often have lead to war or civil war; and on what grounds such war is justified contributed to the cohesion or eventual break down.

Perhaps we don't and can't agree on some important things. Yet, it is the adoption of a GENERAL consensus regarding such things that is the foundation of any society. We don't have to agree on every detail, and may even disagree on some major points, but still for any society to exist there must be a "social contract" - an idea first expounded using those words by Jean Jacques Rousseau, in 1762.

A social contract is built on an underlying set of assumptions that the vast majority, consciously or unconsciously, can find agreement on; and together with those assumptions the creation of a "body politic" that protects the rights of all it's members by using their collective strength and will. Rousseau said that truly free men hold nothing except by force of arms, and once they walk off a piece of ground they no longer possess it. Without society you can have possessions but not property; property implies a title that others collectively recognize and uphold. Like Rousseau, Goreans recognize that all men aren't created equal in strength, intelligence or talents; it is society that makes them equal in law and rights. Even a thief will scream if stolen from, while trying to avoid punishment for his own crimes; the thief accepts the concept of the sanctity of private property, even when violating it.

Before someone starts quoting Norman and that every man is an Ubar within the circle of his steel, and that the steel of others will limit you, let me remind you that Goreans lived in cities. This made them citizens of a City-State, each having a voice in making law; it makes them subjects of a Sovereign, the representative of the State, whether that Sovereign is an Ubar, Administrator or a Council; and members of a Power, which is the State when compared to other States. A townsman isn't the same as a citizen; a townsman simply lives in proximity to others, and has no loyalty beyond his whims. A citizen is part of a State, has an allegiance with that State and expects certain things in return - he may call upon the State to secure his rights, to safeguard his property - and may in turn be called upon to defend the rights and properties of other citizens. The citizen is a part of the body politic, and just as no one can attack any part of a body within attacking the body entire, so the body can't attack parts of itself without endangering itself. The natural freedoms one gives up on becoming a citizen is to do as you please any time you please, to act on your instincts instantly, to possess as much as you can grab and hold on to. On giving these natural freedoms up, the citizen receives other freedoms he might otherwise never enjoy: some expectation of how others will act towards him, being able to walk away from his house or slave and return to find he still possesses it (property), and substitutes reason for instinct. He gains most of the things most of us commonly think of as freedoms, freedoms which can't exist outside the concept of a State.

On Gor, the physical manifestation of the State is the Home Stone. Port Kar began as a town, it's residents townsmen - it became a City-State, a Sovereign Power, when it manifested by it's Home Stone.

What kind of social contract underlies us, generally? As predominantly western people with a somewhat similar ancestral background? Infanticide, murder, cannibalism, eating most animals live, lying without very good reason, forcible rape, sexual relations with first degree blood relatives, theft of private property = BAD. Self defense, humane methods of animal slaughter, respect for private property (the very concept of private property), exogamy, caring for one's offspring and aged parents, cooperative survival = GOOD. Never assume such things are a given, the fact that such seems simply foundational, "right", is simply a product of your own world view.

I can't wait till we encounter extra-terrestrials, and start really questioning the foundations of space time and sentience itself.

The fact that I'm aware of my own provincialism doesn't mean I won't continue to believe my own underlying moral foundation to be the best one. If anything, in making me reexamine those assumptions and having decided to stick with them, I defend them all the stronger.

If there is to be a Gorean "society" on-line or off, we must seek out those commonalties and try to smooth over what differences we can. Otherwise, we are in fact role playing, with no hope of ever living the life we want with others with similar values. This probably means going back to the beginning in most cases, examining our underlying assumptions and then deciding to keep or reject some of them. I choose to associate with those I feel share similar values; when a group of like minded people get together you have the beginnings of a society. If we disagree too fundamentally or too strongly we will go our separate ways. For those who would call themselves Gorean there must obviously be more; other ideas that are foundational, that make Goreans different from other 21st century westerners.

At least I hope so.

What a collar means
   By kimbarely

Greetings Masters, Mistresses and assorted slaves:

A girl sits thinking about the article she was given to write. Many thoughts run through her mind. The word can be a verb or a noun. As such its meaning can be as varied as the interpretations its users ascribe to it. One can depend on the dry lifeless descriptions from any dictionary but to what purpose? Is that a life, living words limited by what society has agreed they mean? Its meaning is more than the physical matter that encompasses a slaves neck. If it doesn't hold the heart, of what value is it? Its value as a noun depends on what it means to both the giver and the receiver.

The tapestry of our life is a many layered and textured mosaic comprised of experiences and choices woven together by fate and circumstances and people we've encountered. It occurs to a girl as she thinks and writes that the urge to create and express herself in a collage is slowly taking shape within her being. She ponders shapes and colors and impressions, the feelings, the fears, the satisfaction and the joys she wishes to convey. What mediums can she use, to best explore, which will most draw the observer into the depths of what it means to her to be a slave? Because to her all of that is encircled within the confines of the object referred to as a collar.

She chooses a large length of some silky cobalt blue material and attaches it to a simple frame of sturdy wood. It will cover the better part of a wall as slavery permeates every fibre of her being, leaving no part untouched and affected. That shade of blue providing both the spiritual aspects and the deep passions she was fortunate enough to discover and have drawn from her very soul early in life. A color almost holy, so pure it's untainted by any squelching of its intensity. Something soft yet strong, able to with stand the wear and tear of life and stand the test of time undimmed or faded.

Next she selects brown leather strips, some suitable for floggers, some whips, some shortened with studs or clasps useful for restraining a wrist or encircling the column of flesh that was once a bare neck but now even though she is unowned will never be bare again because the bindings are now about her heart and soul. They are a rich warm color of brown inspired by the earth and the natural order of life. Some edges finished, some still rough symbolizing that slavery is a journey once begun that is an ever changing itinerary and as such is almost more important than the destination, and ever a work in progress. She places them seemingly haphazardly about the collage leaving only the center blankly empty. Each strip depicting the "chance" encounters, turning points and lessons in her life. The leather emits the aroma she loves. They are woven loosely, turning this way and that towards the center. The Buddhists have a saying: "When the student is ready the teacher will appear." She thinks about those memories. Some harsh, some tender enough to bring tears to her eyes as she works. Some bringing a yearning so quickly to the surface, it overwhelms her. She realizes why she avoided and put this off for so long but embraces the tears with open arms, knowing the time is ripe now.

She takes the rough ropes used for binding, scarves and silk cords and some flimsy bits of string and yarn in various colors, attaching them to the strips of leather at varying angles. Some adorned with beautifully colored beads and some entwined about stones but all extended towards the center. Some expressing things held fast and learned well, fully explored and cherished. Others standing ready yet to be harnessed and directed or discarded if no longer deemed needed.

She stands back viewing and assessing her life with both critical and gently appraising eyes. It has terrible and glorious ones. The depths of despair and the pinnacles of ecstasy. Valleys of desperation and soul searching. White mountain top of blissful soaring above in the heavens. Moments of peace and hellish times she thought would never end.

She takes soft pink pastel colored netting and drapes it along the edges as a framework. The accoutrements of slavery tied sporadically with delicate ribbons, all with in its folds. Here a bottle of perfume, there a jeweled comb. Dabbing glue as the binding agent, aware that the true binding element for the slave is her love and devotion with in her heart. She sprinkles glitter like fairy dust systematically, occasionally, adding fingernail polishes and mascara tubes, and pretty bottles of creams and lotions and brushes with fine soft bristles which carefully painted an eager face with a sparing hand. These only the outwards signs of desiring to be pleasing.

She places a simple circle of steel in the very center of the collage and begins to attach the various cords, scarves and strips of leather tightly until its held firmly in place by those bindings.

She stands back and surveys it, thinking of all the things that encompass her heart and soul and indeed her entire being to what she is... a slave. The true satisfaction of submitting, of pleasing, of being able to nearly worship, of striving to grow and change to please the one who lays claim to all she is. Who demands nothing less than her best, accepting her strengths and frailties and shortcomings equally, shaping guiding and holding her to the real purpose of her life.

She stops suddenly and begins to untie each and every length of rope, silk cord, string and each scarf. She stares at the collar. She attaches it to the center and leaves it untouched and pure standing alone. Then she rummages through her craft bag and supplies and scraps left over from many a project over the years, not sure what it is she seeks but feeling she will know it when she finds it, as she didn't immediately know what it was she needed all those years ago but sensed it when she came in contact with it. Her fingers graze something hard and metal, she smiles, her heart skipping a beat. She pulls out a large black metal "M". She patiently and lovingly attaches the ties that bind in the very epicenter and places the "M" on top of them glued securely. She finds they cover and nearly obscure the collar and she smiles knowing it doesn't matter at all, that in fact, this is only as it should be.

She realizes the collar, be it online or real life or both in and of itself is and means nothing without the Master, who recognizes, accepts and takes responsibility for her submission, her life and her soul. Who inspires service, demands her all and will tighten those ties, strengthen them and burn away the chaff and impurities that hold her back. Who will mold that willing heart and body to his own purposes, make her his property, show her the path to fulfillment lies in meeting his wants and desires and his needs and that her reward is the look of pleasure and pride in his eyes.

This girl is not currently owned by a master, and who knows what the future holds, she hopes to but may never be held in such servitude again. Although she has had her share of opportunities, it has been sometime since she was where she belongs, at the feet of the Master of her life, her destiny and indeed her soul.

However, she has not been stagnant, she has endured and conquered the bereft feelings of loneliness, and still throughout the pain and desperation has not burned her bridges nor spurned her training. She has kept her options open, expanded her mind and horizons. It is all she can do, to cherish the memories of her past service and slavery, blowing softly on the embers of hope, keeping slavery alive within her. While believing all her pain and experiences and loneliness and memories held dear are merely the kindling that will one day burst into an enduring flame burning hotly for that one lasting commitment she seeks. Until that day her neck will remain bare, until that Master claims her heart because a collar to her means all of these things and so many more that simple words cannot express.

She begs mercy if anything she has said has hurt or offended anyone and intended only to describe what she feels and are not the opinions of anyone else, nor is anyone else responsible for her words and actions.

She wishes you all well and safe journeys in this life we call Gorean.

The Constitution & Laws of Gor - Preamble
   By Arthur

A few proposed foundational beliefs for a true Gorean society:

The concept of Home Stone and loyalty towards one's Home Stone is sacrosanct.

An individual is a child of either gender, a slave of either gender, or a foreign national of either gender.

A citizen is an individual having reached the age of majority, of sound mind, not a slave, and having sworn loyalty to a Home Stone.

No individual, citizen or voluntary association may be treated differently from another in regard to the law or taxation.

An individual need not be treated the same as a citizen or association, nor an association treated as an individual or citizen. (Individuals are to be treated equally with other individuals, citizens equally with other citizens, and associations equally with other associations.)

The concept of private property is recognized, with each individual free to use or dispose of his property as he sees fit.

The State may not deprive a citizen of life, liberty or property without due process and just compensation; compensation is not required in the case of a criminal penalty being the cause of the taking.

For any crime not capital, guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt. The maximum penalty of capital punishment, for a capital crime, may only be inflicted if guilt is established beyond a moral certainty; if guilty beyond a reasonable doubt but not a moral certainty, some other sentence is applicable.

Taking, damaging, destroying, or preventing the use of property belonging to another person or voluntary association is considered criminal.

Any activity which does not harm another is permitted, including all activities between consenting adults.
- this would include use of drugs or intoxicants, sexual relations, dueling, gambling, sports activities, employment, the practice of religion, and entering into contracts.

Children are to be protected by the body politic in addition to their parents and from their parents when needed.

Children are not property but individuals, though there exists in law a special recognition of the unique relationship between parent and child. The State may only intercede in this relationship under specific, serious and sufficient circumstances.

Punishment for crimes may include financial recompense, fines, corporal punishment, restraints on behavior, compensatory acts, and restraints on liberty.
- with the punishment commensurate to the severity of the crime.

Crime isn't only against the victim, but against the society as a whole. (Even if I forgive you for murdering my relation, you are still subject to punishment.)

Voluntary associations of individuals is expressly recognized, with such associations having the legal right to create their own peculiar contracts and codes, and such contracts and codes may include means of enforcement differing from the law of the entire body politic.

The institution of slavery is specifically recognized. Slavery begins con sensually, and only as a contract entered into by an adult individual or citizen. However, having once entered into such a contract, the individual gives up all rights and potential rights of citizenship and becomes by law property. A slave may only be freed by it's lawful owner.

Slavery may not be used as a punishment for a crime or debt, except that a condemned adult individual or adult citizen may after due process, voluntarily and without coercion, request slavery as an alternative to other punishment set by law.

The offspring of a slave are legally free individuals.

A slave, having no rights of citizenship, may not be prosecuted for acts committed prior to enslavement, with these exceptions: treason, murder, forcible rape, serious physical abuse of a child or a slave, or anyone mentally or physically incapable of caring for or defending themselves. The act must have been one which could have been prosecuted while the slave was still free. If prosecuted for any of these - and having been found guilty by a due process similar to that accorded a free citizen, the only and required punishment is execution.