We are interested in kzinti psychology. Sometimes, as with Poul Anderson's Ythrians, an sf writer imagines an alien biology, then deduces a corresponding psychology, sociology and theology. Intelligent winged carnivores have deathpride, territorialism and God the Hunter.
Many fictional aliens correspond to particular phases of human history, e.g., warrior aristocrats. Ghrul-Captain insists that he will speak only to the master of the human ship:
"They could kill him, but they could not make him lower himself." (p. 26)
Lower himself! We are enriched by conversing with persons of every social position. (I think that this statement is objectively true, not just a different subjective value judgment from the kzin's.)
Somewhere in John Buchan's John Macnab, a member of a noble family refuses to travel in the back of a van in the company of a damned navvy. I imagine myself as that navvy stepping out of the van and saying, "Please be seated, sir!"
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I think it is very likely that many different intelligent races will have differing views about status and social positions. And that has happened many times among human nations as well. A gesture of respect one nation finds perfectly normal and respectable might be considered intolerable to persons from other cultures. Just think of the long and bitter wrangling between the Chinese and diplomats from Western nations on the matter of the kowtow in the 1700's/1800's!
Ad astra! Sean
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