[ A finger taps at the handle of his cup as he considers how to piece together his thoughts. ]
... I think it's true that it's not so black and white. But I don't think any number of bad factors means someone is less capable of doing good. We're all capable of it, even without a change of heart to wipe those things away.
I don't know if everyone is capable of good. [Most people he has met throughout his life wouldn't qualify for that.] But I actually do agree that bad factors don't exclude the ability to do good or cancel out anything good they do. It really depends on the situation. Still, it's something important to humans, which is why so many philosophers have tried to come up with a system that can create a good person, or at least their version of a good person. Morals and ethics play into that, of course, but even so, everyone tries to figure out what would be the 'right' thing to do at some point.
It seems too complicated to ever be defined by a system. Systems require a certain amount of logic, and people and emotions just aren't logical sometimes. [ Like Akechi mentioned earlier, basing enjoyment on factual evidence—sometimes it doesn't even play out like one would expect looking at facts.
He reaches back to set his cup onto the counter. ]
But I guess that's what makes it exciting for philosophers to pursue.
[He gives an encouraging nod as he lowers his cup from his lips, smiling.] That would be similar to absurdist theory. The universe is chaotic and meaningless and yet we search for meaning, for purpose, for absolutes that cannot ever be given. Probably, anyway. It's a perfectly valid philosophy to subscribe to.
"Thus I draw from the absurd three consequences, which are my revolt, my freedom, and my passion. By the mere activity of consciousness I transform into a rule of life what was an invitation to death, and I refuse suicide." [He laughs softly.] That would be Camus, a rather famous absurdist. To exist is an act of rebellion in a universe that denies you significance and meaning.
I think I can relate to that one more than the others. [ Maybe because he's had to fight his way into creating a place for himself in the world. Rebellion has become so tied to his existence that it seems apt. ]
I thought you might like it. I think it suits you. [He hesitates before making a decision and continuing.] Hegelian philosophy is characterized by the dichotomy of master and slave, of you and the other. I'm oversimplifying it, of course. The problem with Hegelian philosophy is that you could read several different volumes and still not have made much of a dent.
[Akechi drums his fingers on his mug.] But in essence, there is you and the other. By seeing the other, you come to recognise yourself. Your strengths but also your weaknesses. Your flaws. And in the other, you see the strengths and weaknesses. It creates an instability in your world that you, naturally, try to correct. You try to come out on top and dominate the other. However, that way leads to ruin, because it isn't domination anyone really wants. It's recognition. It's equality. No one who solely dominates finds it fulfilling or rewarding. They must continue to do it, again and again, and it will never be enough. It will never give them what they need for their true satisfaction.
[How many rich people are content with their riches? How many politicians are content with their power? No one who builds their lives on domination has been satisfied with that life, as far as he has seen. They only devour more around them.]
Basically, we live in a world of interactions and we desire something from those interactions. We have a self that needs to be met by the selves of others. I find it interesting.
... That one speaks a lot to the nature of people. [ He can see why Akechi is a fan; it is interesting, and Akira has seen plenty of people who only chase domination. They're the types to spawn Shadows and Palaces in the Metaverse.
There's a pause where he turns towards the counter, leaning a forearm against it as he takes up his cup again. ]
Becoming close to the people I have gave me a better view of myself than I've ever had. Maybe before that I tried to dominate, but with them... [ Akira trails off as something sparks in his memory, a vague familiarity finally connecting, and he glances up at Akechi. ]
[A light comes to his eyes as he gives a soft laugh. Out of everything, he didn't expect him to remember something he said to try to impress him. At the time, he'd be certain that had been a 'miss'. But Akira remembers after all. A warmth builds in his chest and he feels annoyed and delighted at once.]
You remember that. I didn't know if you would or not. Yes, it's about self-recognition and someone outside of you validating that self. Mind you, Hegel hated that people reduced these views to such simplistic versions of themselves, because he knew interactions with the world are not at all neat or simple. There is no ideal in this world but rather incomplete, struggling viewpoints throwing themselves against each other in explosive and messy clashes. Sometimes those merge into something greater than the parts. But not often.
It didn't make much sense at the time, but now I understand. [ As well as he can, anyway.
Akira lifts a hand to scratch at his ear. They've migrated far enough up his head that he can't really get away with wearing his glasses anymore, a loss he inwardly mourns. Even if they're technically useless, he's grown fond of wearing them. ]
... If that's how it is, I hope I can help you recognize yourself.
[Another surprise. Akechi sips his coffee, eyes shut as he considers it. Akira did help him see it. He saw the kind of hero he had wanted to be in the other boy, the kind of person he had once thought maybe he could be someday in general. He saw someone he didn't understand and he can't say he reacted well to it, either, but that too was part of himself. All the things Akira makes him think and feel are parts of himself, for better or worse.
He offers soft words as he swirls the coffee in the mug.]
[ Through their unique and complicated history, Akechi has made Akira see things about himself that no one else has—the depth of his anger, resentment, forgiveness, sympathy.
But that's difficult for even Akira, careful and deliberate as he is, to put into words. Besides, a thought jumps to mind, one that he voices with a good-humored noise. ]
Weren't we supposed to be drunk for this conversation?
[ This is much more familiar and easy to navigate. ]
I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to take medication and drink. [ But given that it was more like a magic potion and that Akira is, well, Akira, it's probably no surprise that there isn't much conviction behind it beyond the teasing. ]
[It shouldn't be so funny but he gives a short laugh as he shakes his head.] Ah, hey. I'm a model student. You can't call me a bad influence. If it's my suggestion, it must be a good one.
[ He's not opposed to the idea in general, not at all, but it comes back to the same reason keeping him from sleeping: Akira wants to be in full control of his facilities, just in case something abruptly changes or the medicine begins to wear off. ]
[That does make sense and truly, he just likes joking about it with him. Though it sounds like they actually will do it in the future. That should be interesting.
Akechi toys with his hair, wrapping a lock around his finger and twirling it.]
Hmm, too bad you don't want a distraction, though, since I did finish that story for you.
Haha, are you sure? I don't want to waste it now if you don't want to hear it.
[Of course, he has to milk it a little bit. But also, he doesn't know if it will actually be very good. Telling him The Little Prince set the bar impossibly high.]
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... I think it's true that it's not so black and white. But I don't think any number of bad factors means someone is less capable of doing good. We're all capable of it, even without a change of heart to wipe those things away.
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He reaches back to set his cup onto the counter. ]
But I guess that's what makes it exciting for philosophers to pursue.
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"Thus I draw from the absurd three consequences, which are my revolt, my freedom, and my passion. By the mere activity of consciousness I transform into a rule of life what was an invitation to death, and I refuse suicide." [He laughs softly.] That would be Camus, a rather famous absurdist. To exist is an act of rebellion in a universe that denies you significance and meaning.
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I think I can relate to that one more than the others. [ Maybe because he's had to fight his way into creating a place for himself in the world. Rebellion has become so tied to his existence that it seems apt. ]
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[Akechi drums his fingers on his mug.] But in essence, there is you and the other. By seeing the other, you come to recognise yourself. Your strengths but also your weaknesses. Your flaws. And in the other, you see the strengths and weaknesses. It creates an instability in your world that you, naturally, try to correct. You try to come out on top and dominate the other. However, that way leads to ruin, because it isn't domination anyone really wants. It's recognition. It's equality. No one who solely dominates finds it fulfilling or rewarding. They must continue to do it, again and again, and it will never be enough. It will never give them what they need for their true satisfaction.
[How many rich people are content with their riches? How many politicians are content with their power? No one who builds their lives on domination has been satisfied with that life, as far as he has seen. They only devour more around them.]
Basically, we live in a world of interactions and we desire something from those interactions. We have a self that needs to be met by the selves of others. I find it interesting.
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There's a pause where he turns towards the counter, leaning a forearm against it as he takes up his cup again. ]
Becoming close to the people I have gave me a better view of myself than I've ever had. Maybe before that I tried to dominate, but with them... [ Akira trails off as something sparks in his memory, a vague familiarity finally connecting, and he glances up at Akechi. ]
Thesis and antithesis, right?
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You remember that. I didn't know if you would or not. Yes, it's about self-recognition and someone outside of you validating that self. Mind you, Hegel hated that people reduced these views to such simplistic versions of themselves, because he knew interactions with the world are not at all neat or simple. There is no ideal in this world but rather incomplete, struggling viewpoints throwing themselves against each other in explosive and messy clashes. Sometimes those merge into something greater than the parts. But not often.
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Akira lifts a hand to scratch at his ear. They've migrated far enough up his head that he can't really get away with wearing his glasses anymore, a loss he inwardly mourns. Even if they're technically useless, he's grown fond of wearing them. ]
... If that's how it is, I hope I can help you recognize yourself.
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He offers soft words as he swirls the coffee in the mug.]
I'd like it if I did the same someday.
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[ Through their unique and complicated history, Akechi has made Akira see things about himself that no one else has—the depth of his anger, resentment, forgiveness, sympathy.
But that's difficult for even Akira, careful and deliberate as he is, to put into words. Besides, a thought jumps to mind, one that he voices with a good-humored noise. ]
Weren't we supposed to be drunk for this conversation?
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Isn't the wine still here?
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I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to take medication and drink. [ But given that it was more like a magic potion and that Akira is, well, Akira, it's probably no surprise that there isn't much conviction behind it beyond the teasing. ]
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If everyone who should not drink abstained, there would be very few drinkers at all.
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Ah, it's not even the full moon I have to worry about. It's Goro Akechi coming into my house and being a bad influence.
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Akira hides his grin in his cup as he finishes off the last of his coffee in one long sip. ]
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[He drinks slower, not really wanting to stop being around him just yet.]
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[ He's not opposed to the idea in general, not at all, but it comes back to the same reason keeping him from sleeping: Akira wants to be in full control of his facilities, just in case something abruptly changes or the medicine begins to wear off. ]
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Akechi toys with his hair, wrapping a lock around his finger and twirling it.]
Hmm, too bad you don't want a distraction, though, since I did finish that story for you.
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I didn't say I don't want a distraction. You can tell it if it's ready.
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[Of course, he has to milk it a little bit. But also, he doesn't know if it will actually be very good. Telling him The Little Prince set the bar impossibly high.]
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I want to hear it, but I want to get comfortable first.