Life Is Happiness Indeed

Edward: [singing] Dear Boy! \ Sweet honey comes from bees that sting \ As you are well aware \ To one adept in reasoning\ Whatever pain disease may bring\ Are but a tangy seasoning \ To love's delicious fare—

Jack: —Edward, greetings!

Edward: Jack! Hello, friend.

Jack: Were you singing?

Edward: Ah, yes. Pardon me. I sometimes take to singing tunes while out and about and hiking alone on a trail under a beautiful blue sky and amid the serene natural landscape and ... Never mind that. How are you?

Jack: I feel great. I take to going as fast as I can while hiking. It's good to keep the heart rate up.

[Jack places two fingers on his neck for a few seconds to check his pulse.]

Jack: Although, I think I could use a break. Would you mind if I walked along with you for a while?

Edward: Certainly. I suspect both you and the ears of the wildlife would find it most restful.

[Jack and Edward walk together along the trail at a modest, casual pace, and for a few moments they walk in silence.]

Jack: Edward, about our previous conversation: I forgive you.

Edward: You forgive me?

Jack: Yes. I forgive you.

Edward: Well, thank you, I guess. May I ask for what I'm forgiven?

Jack: As you surely remember, you and I discussed moral relativism.

Edward: I do remember.

Jack: And the conversation did not play out as I liked at the time. In fact, I'd say you destroyed moral relativism for me. This could have been very bad, but in fact it's all for the best. In fact, much good has come about because of that conversation. I see now that moral relativism is a dead end.

Edward: Really?

Jack: Yes. Now I'm pursuing my Doctrine of Universal Acceptance.

Edward: Your doctrine of universal acceptance?

Jack: Yes, but capitalized. It's my idea of accepting everyone around me for who they are. It's quite liberating, really. I find myself much more at peace than I ever was as a moral relativist.

Edward: That's good to hear.

Jack: It is good—if I were to pass judgment on it.

Edward: Sorry, I'll try to refrain from implying judgment.

Jack: If you want. It's totally up to you.

Edward: Um, yes.

Jack: I know now that there are moral absolutes. And yet while there exist both good and bad things, I accept all in kind and wish not to change the bad to good. Especially the good and bad in people. I wish to respect their autonomy.

Edward: Certainly.

Jack: Really, it makes for the best of all possible worlds. To each his own and to all, love. You're frowning, Edward!

Edward: My apologies. I have a rather nasty habit of doing that while I'm deep in thought.

Jack: Deep in thought? Is something I said unclear?

Edward: What you said is quite clear indeed. Really, it's just a small matter about which I was thinking.

Jack: Please speak your mind. I'll accept anything you have to say.

Edward: Well, okay. You say that this doctrine—excuse me—this Doctrine of Universal Acceptance is a new outlook for you. Does this mean then that you previously were not accepting of the people around you?

Jack: Certainly I wasn't! Previously I judged people and sometimes quite negatively so. It can be quite frustrating, as you surely know, to see someone acting in a way you wish them not to act, and the desire to have them change their behavior can be very strong. Only with my new Doctrine do I now see that in the best of all possible worlds people are accepted for who they are. Live and let live, I say. To each his own!

Edward: I see. That's quite liberal of you.

Jack: Thank you.

Edward: So do I understand correctly that your natural inclination—your default level of acceptance—is not to accept people fully and completely?

Jack: Exactly. This is a newer me, a happier me, and it's all due to my Doctrine.

Edward: Yes, your Doctrine of Universal—

Jack: —Acceptance!

Edward: Yes, and your Doctrine is truly universal and applies to accepting everyone and everything?

Jack: Absolutely!

Edward: Including yourself and your own nature of not accepting everyone and everything?

Jack: Well...

[Jack stares ahead for a few moments, deep in thought, as the two continue walking along the trail in silence.]

Jack: I think I must be pushing along now. One should keep one's heart rate up, of course. You should do some speed training, Edward. It would be better for your health and overall fitness than always ambling along at such a slow pace.

Edward: So some say. Goodbye, Jack. Have a good run.

Jack: Goodbye, Edward.