Philosophy of Gorean Ethos

My name is Nyre, and I wish to share some of my thoughts with you.

Gorean philosophy exists, and it is not based on sexual fantasy.

Fetishes are not engaged in Gorean ideals, and BDSM is not invited.

Morality is the cornerstone of the Gorean philosophy.

Gorean morality encourages honor, courage, hardness and strength. To Gorean morality, many Earth moralities might ask: Why so hard? To these Earth moralities, the Gorean ethos might ask, Why so soft?

Philosophy is the love and pursuit of wisdom. Using this wisdom we outline the ideals and standards that accompany our philosophies. It is my intent to prove that John Norman outlined a consistent philosophy in his novels, both those on Gor aswell as in his non-Gorean works. He gave it a name, he gave it a language, and in fact he even provided a planet to illuminate its tenets. We know as individuals that it is common sense that none of us live on a planet that is fiction. Instead we choose to extract the values and standards of his philosophy and apply them to our lives. This is fact.

Let us examine some of the fallacies that are commonly held against this philosophy. Norman’s logic was not based on sex. He had various fictional characters that lived and died passionately. Each of these unique parables was just that, a moral within a fable. The truth of the matter is that the philosophy exists without relationships, without intimate contact with the opposite sex. It offers answers to those who desire ideals such as honor, moral discipline, responsibility, ownership, gender validity, truth, and joy in living. There are no standards or words that send out the message that, without a slave or taverns with imaginary drinks, this ethos cannot be lived and enjoyed. No rule states that you must own a tarn or posture with four slaves to uphold your position on this thinking. However, as he states below,

In the end, few things are real, perhaps the weight and glitter of gold, the movement and nature of weapons, a slave at one’s feet, and too, perhaps, in spite of all, if we will have it so, defiance, honor, responsibility, courage, discipline, such things, such baubles, such treasures.

The characters of Norman’s Gorean world prized such ideals as I have spoken of. Money, material objects, role play, unfocused behavior were not a pleasure of this Philosophy. The thinkers, the intellectuals, have held prime ground and continue to do so in defining and leading their lives under the banner of these axioms.

Let us look at the great quote that lead this article above, Why so soft? I can only answer that many have accepted an easier route in life, and in that ’road more traveled’ they lose out on a finer balance, a reckoning that is their birthright. That thread, as simple as it seems, can be the most difficult path to find. Strength, control, honor, responsibilities are a few of the absolute corner stones of the ideals of Gorean thought. Yet, to define them absolutely for so many people would be a grave error because we cannot define every person’s life or destiny. Even so, there are strong indicators which we share in common, which bring us together in recognizing those of like-mind and like-passion and enable us to walk a similar path together. Those who cannot fathom these things will never find it.

There is no single humanity, no single shirt, no correct pair of shoes, no uniform, even a gray one, that will fit all men. There are a thousand humanities possible. He who denies this sees only his own horizons. He who disagrees is the denier of difference, and the murderer of better futures.

The above thought does not leave room for other philosophies to enter and dilute Norman’s ethos. It falls under a value that Goreans have long held in favor: no man requires the same path, but the path is parallel to those walking the same journey and ends by the same standards to living the same ethos.

In saying such, I state that the ethos does not change. The people vying to learn the wisdom incorporated into the philosophy, do. It can make the thought process confusing and difficult to follow when the standards are not clearly outlined by those participating in this endeavor.

I sat in the darkness and wondered on honor, and courage. If they were shams I thought them most precious shams. How else could we tell ourselves from urts and sleen?

Gorean ideals are not a spin off of the BDSM community and two of the most notable differences are the terms fetish and switching. As stated above, this lifestyle requires no partner, no sexual interaction to be workable. On the other hand, BDSM represents sexual acts, sexual instruments, and participation in fetish themes. Those of Gorean background have very little to do with acting or pretending. The harsh reality is they are unmovable forces, strong men and women refusing to be afraid to stand for each right, each standard they live daily.

In the end, it is safe to say that the Gorean Ethos has standards. Some of those standards include moral thought, responsibility, standing for your rights as well as standing by your word, and above all, truth. It will be my course to investigate these terms under the mantle of Gorean Philosophy in The Gorean Voice in the months to come. I leave you with a final thought,

What is morality?, she asked. Judgement to distinguish right and wrong, vision to see the truth, courage to act upon it, dedication to that which is good, integrity to stand by the good at any price.Ayn Rand

I wish you well,

Nyre