Equality in the Daemon/Human relationship

[Parallax]

While the original Greek concept of "daemon" was the innermost, incorruptable part of a person, it eventually evolved into an "attendant spirit," a servant of sorts.

But is it accurate for us to be considered the servants of our humans?

Are we just a part of them, here for their well-being and enjoyment, or are we actually equal parts of one self?

In fact, couldn't we view things in the exact opposite way - if we are their truest core, the source of everything that makes them who they are, couldn't they be seen as extensions of us?

Food for thought.

[Elafros]

*snorts with laughter* Me, servant to Josh? Absolutely not, he does what I tell him, when he knows I'm right, which is more of the time than he is! Without dæmons, humans aren't human, we are what make them human.

[RannockRookie]

Despite what the word 'daemon' means, I don't like to think of us as merely extensions of our humans, because they couldn't survive without us.. We are too much part of each other for us to simply be called 'servants' to them. But neither are they servants to us. I think the relationship evens out because though we tend to be more rational and "boss our humans around," they can easily just not listen to us, and do whatever it is they know is wrong anyway. And what do most of us do? Forgive our human the moment they ask, even if miffed by their actions.

And about our human being extensions of us... Well, this might not be the exact same thing, but it deals with equality: Okibi and I believe that in Lyra's world, I would be the human and she the dæmon. And that makes sense to me. If the authority is evenly balanced, then of course I wouldn't always be the observer. Plus, even in this world I sometimes find my human telling me to behave. XD

Parallax said:

are we actually equal parts of one self?

That's how I'd explain it. I am her soul, but she is mine. =P

[Erasmus]

I'm not sure about the exact circumstances of human-dæmon relationships, but I do know were definatly are not mere <i>servants</i> to our humans. As Elafros and Rookie said, our humans need us to be whole. Without us they would only be a mere shadow of their true self. Or a faded ghost of who they used to be. We give them vitality. That doesn't mean we are <i>all</i> of them, but we are everywhere to them, and a infinatly important part of everything they are and everything they feel...

That is interesting though. Me and Mika(TaintedDæmon) always thought that the original dæmon was simply a guiding spirit. We were disappointed really, that the real idea of dæmons never really existed in history.

[mox]

I think the real idea of daemons have existed in history, just with different names and some details different but basically the same core idea.

[Rookie]

Okibi and I thought up something last night, and she made sure to scribble it down before going to bed... We realized that though the dæmon is expected to be the stronger or more influential one in the human-dæmon relationship, the ultimate goal is for the human and it to be equal. It's not really a bad thing that my girl gives me advice sometimes. See, the human shouldn't be "stronger," because he needs to keep in mind that the dæmon's worthy of his admiration. The soul is the vital and most beautiful part of the human, and they shouldn't have any reason to look down on it. But neither can the dæmon always remain "stronger," because that shows it hasn't yet completed its human, or built him up entirely. They must balance each other out by their roles being balanced.

And I must echoe my human in saying, "I hope that made sense." =/

[Duncan8th]

Hi guys, this is Auraia, um, first post as just me, so hi!!

Anyway, about what Parallax first said, I don't consider myself to be Duncan's, but he doesn't consider mei his either. While I do consider myself a reflection of his soul, in turn, he too reflects mei.

Also, "attendant spirit" doesn't necessarily mean servant. Yes I attend him, I keep him in line, but isn't that my job?

~Auraia~

[Parallax]

I would like to point out that being a servant is not necessarily a bad thing. When you serve out of love or kindness, it is a very, very good thing.

[Annie]

Rano:

If you think about it humans serve us in a way too. Since we have no physical body, we have to be expressed through them. Like how my human is typing on the keyboard for me. See?

[Echo]

I think that we are equal, as many of you have said. We give our humans another view of themselves and they give us form and a physical body. We are not thier servants and they aren't ours. We're...friends I suppose. We always try to make the other happy and they try to make us happy. We also get into fights sometimes but at the same time we share moments that no one else might know about. When they're sad we comfort them and when we're angry they try to calm us down. It's kind of a win win situation.

[Annie]

Rano:

I guess that was what I was trying to say. It's kinda like symbiosis.

[Elafros]

My thoughts exactly! A symbiotic relationship. We are sustained by each other.

[Lizifer]

Pff. Whichever of us is right is in charge. But then neither of us does anything big without talking to each other first.

[StephXZed]

*Bursts out laughing* Me, a servent to her?! She does what I tell her, always. However, I guess it makes sense for someone to think of this arguement... it's not as if I refuse my help to her when she asks for it...

[Alexei & Kryii]

Okay, what I'm going to say is going to sound weird to you, I'm sure. But I've been assimilating a lot of different philoshpy, thanks to Alexei's kind and generous use of his time for my ends. I think that Daemons arn't souls at all. The soul, the intrinsic being at the core... that is something else. Alexei's soul and my soul are the same- inseperable. I am that soul's spirit- the extention of its passions and desires. Alecei is something else again.

Thus, we are not a part of our human. Nor is our humna a part of us. We are both facets of our soul, one soul, a seperate soul from either individual. He provides, in our world, at least, the soul with a body and a mind, a way for the soul to interact with its enviroment and other souls- a way to learn. The Daemon as the spirit does not lack mind, but provides a check on the human's mind... we push them away from the extremes, we balance them. Thus, our purpose is to balance our human, and draw him- or her, of course- back towards the balance that the soul requires.

That came out a bit disjointed, and I know I have a lot more to tie up before I can really present this as anything more than vauge speculation, but does it make any kind of sense to any of you?