novelraw Chapter 115 115
Chapter 115 115
Act in such a way that if one formulated that action into a demand or even law, every single person could be commanded to act in this way.
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[Only for those further interested in the moral theory: It's not precisely 'do unto others as you wish others to do unto you', but those are very closely related. The difference lies in the fact that this latter sentence could also mean that you could be into something most other people would not enjoy. If you did unto them what you enjoy having done to you, then they would likely have to use force to stop you, if they didn't like it. The action that can be formulated into a law can only be done with every single person in mind as an end unto itself. That means that you are not allowed to treat anyone in a fashion that instrumentalises them without also treating them as a person whose purpose is only to be that person. They have a dignity which cannot be bought or replaced. It has no equivalent. Dignity is the worth of any person as one which can act in the above described way. This is circular, but I will not explain the Metaphysics of the idea of freedom and autonomy behind the way out of this circular argument. Please be aware that this is a loose interpretationof parts of Kant's moral theory and proper philosophical works will cite relevant passages to prove their claims.]
An integral problem remains: what to do with people who don't act in this fashion? What do you do with 'evil' people?
What could we do with the Fire Nation, had we the power to stop this war now?
What is to be done for the effort of lasting peace, if the methods to end this war without ending up under Fire Nation rule are ones only remotely acceptable in war?
How does one treat criminals correctly without resorting to criminal means?
I have no idea.
But I do know that under normal circumstances, in a modern democracy, I should be imprisoned for what I've done. For good reason.
This is not that world.
I am not about to preach what I cannot uphold myself, even though I know how it could be done if only everyone followed the doctrine, ha!
I am still of the opinion that Aang should not be the one to end the war, and he should not be responsible for keeping world peace. That's absurd.
But it's true that he ahs access to power and knowledge that could be useful to end the war. And I want some answers about how it's possible that spirits just show up on a ship I'm on in a storm. If they know how I ended up here, reincarnated.
So I will take Aang aside later, to ask him about spirits, what he knows of them and if he can access the spirit world without putting himself in danger. If his powers are tied to spiritually inhabited places, then maybe we can go into the Crystal Caves beneath Ba Sing Se.
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SOKKA
The University of Ba Sing Se, where the professor they left behind in the Great Library when it sunk came from, is grand. It looks impressive and old. It looks like the kind of place that could withstand an earthquake and not even have a picture frame shift on the walls.
It's also beautiful. The wide spaces between sturdy buildings are made up with fountains, some of people in robes, some with birds or other elegant figures. And everywhere, there are well-dressed people conversing, walking, reading.
It seems wonderful. A place of learning. A place of meeting and exchanging ideas.
Too bad Kaito said that commoners aren't usually allowed in. It pisses Sokka off. Back home, all knowledge was shared, even if not all chores were – which he can see is sort of unfair.
Their eye-catching group is soon approached by two young, well-dressed women. They greet Kaito warmly, politely, and eye them with interest. Especially Aang has their attention, with his uncovered arrow tattoo and visible excitement.
"Kaito, how nice to meet you here. What a surprise, you said you wouldn't return until next week," one of them says. "And you brought company! How did you manage that?"
Kaito smiles at them, the kind of smile Sokka has come to understand mocks the receiver, just a little. "Meara, Thanira, meet Toph, Katara, Sokka, and Aang."
They bow, "It is a pleasure to meet Kaito's friends."
"Likewise!" Aang enthuses, greeting the friendly people as he always does, with enthusiasm and great charm. He bows as well, showing off his tattoo unintentionally.
Kaito watches Meara and Thanira's faces closely. Sokka would normally be eyeing them up and down, appreciating beauty as presented in such a lovely manner, but today he's on a mission.
Before anyone can ask Aang if he's the Avatar, Kaito says, "We were hoping to speak with Jeong about a favour. And perhaps visit the library."
"Ah? What a coincidence, that is also where we were headed. Allow us to accompany you."
And so Kaito and the ladies make polite conversation, which soon turns to academic topics. Though most notably, Sokka listens to their assessments of Fire Nation technological advances. With no word to they mention the war, but some of it…
"Steam engines really are an ingenious concept. Professor Guiyong has been able to reconstruct one, finally. It seems he got a blueprint from somewhere," Meara comments, tone casual, but to Sokka it's clear what she's alluding to. The drill that the Fire Nation had recently tried to breach the walls with. Had almost succeeded in breaching the walls with.
If it hadn't been for unexpected, unidentified – yeah right, it was yakuza! – help for the military units of Ba Sing Se, the wall would have been breached.
"And it works? Can he finally build that carriage he wanted?" Kaito asks, evidently having come into contact with the Professor.
"Oh no! It's far too large for that!" Thanira laughs. "You should take a look at it, he'd be delighted to hear your opinions. You had such helpful suggestions last time."
Kaito had helpful suggestions? Did he know how steam engines worked from the Fire Nation ships perhaps?
"If there's time later," Kaito agrees.
And then they come to a halt in front of the large building with doors thrice Sokka's height, if not more. And inside, inside-
Sokka is in awe at this place. There are rooms for scientific experimentation, laboratories with strange smells and substances, the library is the largest he's seen aside from The Great Library. And. And the willingness of the professor to answer every little question Sokka has…
He could die happy here, he thinks. Get his hands on old and new blueprints, invent something himself, he-
Kaito puts a hand on his shoulder and whispers, "Shall we leave you two alone for a bit?"
"Wha-" Sokka sputters and scrambles to compose himself as Professor Xu gives him a look.
"I'm quite serious," Kaito continues, grinning, "We've already decided what our leaflets are going to say. So I'll take the others and make that happen while you learn all you can here."
Sokka manages a nod. Meara and Thanira laugh at him behind polite hands, but he can't care. Time to research!
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KATARA
Jeong is a young androgynous-looking person with ink stains all over their hands and apron. They are clearly overworked and in need of a break.
Katara watches with some vague sense that Kaito is taking advantage of their state as he persuades them to go for a meal, they'll take over here, he knows how to operate the press, no worries…
Jeong goes.
And then Kaito sets them all to work, instructing carefully, and asking Toph to press down the roller upon commands.
Their prepared printing template is quickly slid in, and they set to work.
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