The Campaign Builder's Guild

Week 12 (October 23rd, 2009)
[note=Got an Topic Idea?]Send me a PM. Remember, we are discussing any topic relating to world design (but not system design), so fire away.[/note]
[ic=Philosophy Archive]
Week 1 - The Cost of Magic
Week 2 - Villains
Week 3 - Genre Conventions
Week 4 - Design Method
Week 5 - Characters
Week 6 - Theme
Week 7 - PCs in the World
Week 8 -  Politics
Week 9 - Government
Week 10 - Alignment
Week 11 - Magic Items
Week 12 - Philosophy
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Philosophy
What role does philosophy play in your setting? Are philosophers important? Is there an objective reality that people understand, or just lots of theories? Who are the great thinkers of your setting?

Do you use real world philosophy as an inspiration?

Heavens yes philosophy plays a part in Gloria (see signature). Philosophical explorations are a huge part of what makes Gloria Gloria. The struggle between capitalism, libertarianism, and socialism is a large part of the tale, as are Benjamin Franklin's virtues, and how a materialistic society confronts and balances faith and reason; whether altruism can exist in a capitalist society-- and whether altruism is even necessary for such a society to function normally; whether morality exists-- and what happens with an amoral society that nevertheless is very human at its heart.

I suppose the world could be said to be relativistic- each major cultural grouping (the capitalists, libertarians, and socialists) defines their world in greatly different terms from each other, and who is to say which grouping follows the "right" way to live. Even within the societies there are cleavages.

In a sense I would figure it is impossible to make a believable gameworld philosophy without using real world philosophy as an inspiration. All under heaven has probably been discussed on Earth in some aspect.

Some of the elements of Broken Verge are partly inspired by questions of philosophy, and my own interest in the subject has a tendency to spill over into the setting. A good example might be my reifiers who are built over Plato's Theory of Forms.
Faith and ideology also have an important place in many of my settings and of course philosophy influences these as well. I have several religions which are of a purely philosophical nature without any gods akin to Buddhism and Taoism. It also influences governments; my "Empire" has a leadership structure based on a prominent philosopher.  

Philosophy happens quietly in my setting. That is to say there are representatives of different societal models and moral outlooks and things, but they ultimately represent their respective philosophies and such through their actions. Altruists by being altruistic, selfish folk by being selfish, people who value loyalty to clan and country by being loyal to clan and country, etc. There's a weird mix of capitalism, socialism, mercantilism, and feudalism at work in society, but as a mixed system rather than as opposed ideologies.

Now, political philosophy is going to get contested... merchants will behave as capitalists in a mercantile system and feel ripped off by the necessities of charters and taxes, for example. But in a fantasy setting? Philosophy gets argued with steel and gunpowder.

I find I used a lot of philosophy in developing Eschaton (especially Indian philosophy and also the idea of Determinism). But I think I might want to spend some additional effort on creating in-world philosophers and thinkers, too.

The closest thing I've seen to a true Philosopher in a campaign setting was in Eberron. There was a Gnome who spent his whole life atop a pillar and opined about the 9 Gods.

I believe Philosophy tends to whither in most campaign settings principally due to the fact that most settings are too focused on the relationship between real Gods and mortal man, not to mention Philosophers don't add a ton of hooks player's interest (at least compared to a legendary king who slew a Dragon by ripping its heart out).

But a philosopher that rips off a king's dragon, now that's a hook!

Quote from: PhoenixBut a philosopher that rips off a king's dragon, now that's a hook!

What kind of Philosopher condones thievery, especially thievery from Royalty?

Quote from: Elemental_Elf

Quote from: PhoenixBut a philosopher that rips off a king's dragon, now that's a hook!

What kind of Philosopher condones thievery, especially thievery from Royalty?

See, you're hooked.

Quote from: Phoenix

Quote from: Elemental_Elf

Quote from: PhoenixBut a philosopher that rips off a king's dragon, now that's a hook!

What kind of Philosopher condones thievery, especially thievery from Royalty?

See, you're hooked.

I'll admit that much, lol.

Erm, several types of philosopher probably. I'm not huge into my philosophy, but I'm guessing a Nihilist would see nothing too wrong with thievery, and under the right circumstances a Utilitarian could see it as the best course of action. I'm sure there are other schools of thought too.
Anyone with more knowledge, feel free to correct me, of course.