Wednesday 24 July 2013

History And Monotheism


When discussing Poul Anderson's fiction, I make no apology for alternating between his historical fiction ("Son of the Sword") and his fictitious history (Technic Civilization). It is all one.

In "Son of the Sword," as ever, action-adventure fiction, the escape from Thebes, alternates with discussion of historical issues. Akhnaton was a monotheist heretic. Monotheism can be exclusive (Semitic) or inclusive (Hindu) but his was neither. Apparently, it was unrealistically pacifistic: Akhnaton lived beautifully while losing large areas of his empire.

His was the attitude condemned by Max Abrams, mentor of Dominic Flandry - it is wrong to fight even to defend the level of civilization that our ancestors have gained:

"'Cities stood ablaze for want of the troops that he could have sent. But no, he loved everyone and Aton forbade killing.'"

(Poul Anderson, "Son of the Sword" IN Anderson, Alight In The Void, New York, 1993, p. 139)

Earlier in life, I advocated Tolstoyan-Ghandian-Huxleyan pacifism. I have learned not to accept the opinions of my elders but also not to form my own opinions too early either.

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