Sign My Guestbook!
2002-04-11 - 10:34 a.m.
C-A-P-S CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!!
My beloved Washington Capitals have been eliminated from playoff contention. Damn the man.
OK...today's primary focus, in fine Socratic tradition, is Lucia's question:
*Honor question for Kenny: Who has the power to affect your personal honor? Obviously each person affects their own by behaving honorably or dishonorably. But can someone affect your honor by proxy, and how?
I'll admit that my first response to this question was going to be wrong. My initial feeling was this: Yes, a person can affect your honor, but proper handling of the problem will, in the end restore it. But, before I really got rolling down that line of the thought, Zen Master DreadBaron tossed out his thoughts on the matter. The short and dirty explanation is this: Only your actions can affect your honor...if you act dishonorably, but no one knows, you are still dishonorable...if you act honorably, but everyone around you thinks you haven't, you are still honorable. DB separated the concepts into " personal honor (aka the truth) versus public honor (aka perception)."
He nailed it. But the difference between my initial answer, and DB's correct answer is yet another pitfall on the path to honor. No one but yourself can dishonor you. They can certainly take actions that affect the perception the public has of you, yet your honor is unstained. But to understand that, to internalize that concept, to take comfort during hard times that your honor is your own and you have not sullied it...that is a level of maturity and self confidence that is simply out of my grasp right now. I would imagine that many people could say the same.
The question then becomes this: How do you deal in an honorable way with those people who are negatively affecting your 'public honor'. Probably the first step should be taken long before it becomes an issue. If being honorable is your goal, then you should strive in each of your acts to be honorable. By doing so you will generate a public perception that you are honorable. Once this perception is in place, it will be harder for anyone to soil your public image. The second step is to make the realization that the manner in which you handle a problem is often of greater import than the problem itself. Both of these ideas can be illustrated by an incident that took place at Pennsic a few years ago.
A new monkey in the society had been assigned to guard the entrance to the Atlantian Royal Camp. His instructions were to not allow anyone to pass. Along comes a Duke, and the monkey says he isn't allowed to enter. The duke becomes somewhat frustrated, vents (a little) at the monkey and leaves. Shortly, the King comes out and amends his orders. The monkey conveys what happens to some trusted people who say : "That doesn't sound like him at all." (Step one, above) That night, the Duke comes to the monkey's camp and apologizes, explaining that he was wrong by taking out his frustrations on the poor, little monkey. It is that, and not the words spoken previously that the monkey remembers. (Step two, above)
The honorable path, in my opinion, would lie in trusting in truth over perception. Here is the first of what will probably be many difficult steps... accepting that your own definition of self is more important than public perception. Faith in yourself is more powerful than the thoughts of others. This doesn't mean that you can't defend your reputation, but a solid foundation in your self will lend that perspective that is so necessary to navigating the treacherous waters or honor. Understanding the difference between truth vs. perception will allow your response to be measured and appropriate.
So where to now? I think I'll look at honor on the field tomorrow...there are some unique challenges, and some unique opportunities, that are found on the field of battle. Take an environment ripe with competition, add in the opportunity to strike each other with weapons and finally a dash of call-your-own-blow to create the perfect environment for trouble. Quite frankly, I'm amazed that it works at all...but that is just a little evidence of the magic of the SCA.
Giacommo has a quote that he says in regards to blow calling...but I think it is appropriate to the discussion of honor as a whole, at least as a starting point:
"Absolutely forgiving of others, utterly unforgiving of yourself"
So here is the summary:
1) Your honor is your own, and is the true reflection of yourself.
2) Your reputation can be sullied by others, but your honor can not.
3) That difference is important.
4) The response to difficulty is often more important than the difficulty itself (especially in the long run...)
and tomorrow we'll look at honor issues on the field. As always....drop me a line with your take...
i'm out
Cynwrig
�
�