From: | Chad Hessoun <chessoun@*******.COLUMBUS.OH.US> |
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Subject: | The Metaphysics of Psionics [it's not that bad...] |
Date: | Mon, 19 Sep 1994 23:31:33 -0400 |
net during July, and so I missed the original genesis of this whole thing.
However, it seems to me that what we are lacking is any grand metaphysical
concept of what it is we're talking about (Keith Graham also mentioned
this recently).
First: what are psionics in SR? There seems to be a desire to
distinguish between psis and magicians. What is that difference? It's not
enought to simply say that psis aren't mages. Why? Astral access? That
seems reasonable. Mages are distinguished by their ability to access
astral space and it's power. The power that psis use does not create this
astral connection. Rather, their power relates to, and issues from, some
inner reserve. If we want to say that this reserve has something to do
with life-force, then how do we distinguish it from astral space?
Second: how dow psis dow what they do? Magicians cast a spell, molding
forces in astral space, blah blah blah. How do we describe what happens in
real/game terms when a psi uses a power? Perhaps they could be said to be
attempting to enforce their will on some one or thing, thereby causing
some change or shift? People's resistance could be measured in Willpower,
objects according to various physical laws as represented on some
to-be-created table? Just brainstorming here (if I don't type it in now,
I'll forget it). Can you have willing subjects? Can psies affect
non-physical characteristics? How?
Third: can purely magical beings use/be affected by psionics? astral space
in general? I would have to say "no?"
Does any of that make sense? I'm tired and out of philosophical practice
(you graduate and discover you can't think properly after three months of
working regular daytime business hours [grumble]). It just seems to me
that we need to agree on some unified vision for this class[?] before
doing anything else. Talk to ya' later...
-C
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