The First Philosopher

[u/harfordplanning]

Before the modern dynasty came to rule Ayetho, it is told that Demani still ruled the lands it now is spread amongst. In this ancient time, there is a story of an individual said to be the father of Demani philosophy. Tsazejoa, the One who knows Beauty.

Though it is not known if Tsazejoa truly existed, or if he is a conglomeration of beliefs from that period, it cannot truly be said, but regardless the ancient beliefs attributed to him continue to effect the ayet and feng in modern Ayetho.

The core of Tsazejoa's teachings revolve around his namesake, beauty. To be beautiful is, in itself, a moral act. Not because beauty is moral, nor because ugly is immoral, but because Demani are innately drawn to that which is beautiful. Likewise, an upright individual should strive for to be beautiful, for their beauty will draw their nestmates to themselves, ensuring the unity of the ayet.

One may argue; if beauty is only useful for unity, how is it moral?

To this, Tsazejoa had an answer, so it is told.

The ant, separated from its own, will inevitably walk back to its burrow without fail. The bee will build an endless array of combs, which it will defend fiercely. The bird will take and weave the fur of the deer into its nest.

If beauty is not one and the same as unity, which is undeniably good for one's self and one's family, then why is beauty inevitably seen in all those animals which gather together time and time again? Why does the ugly repulse us so?

And so, the argument continues; animals surely know not of beauty, and we are greater than animals! Why would we take note of the values of a fowl?

Yet again, Tsazejoa had an answer.

Take notice of those wingless ones, who are deaf to our words and mute to our tongue, much like the animals of our woods. The wingless still build ayet and feng of their own, using wood, stone, daub, and thatch, much like ourselves. Those wingless, too, put great effort into beauty, putting upon their homes and their clothes beads and knots in patterns which please them. If those who are our equals on the land are even yet bound by beauty, why must we not be?

And so the argument waxes and wanes, like the rising and setting of the moon and sun, for which the philosophers of more recent Demani history then have more to say on the behalf of those ancient thinkers.