GEWISSENHAFT

The first volume glances at conscientious behaviour falsified by the deceptive Nyxie, `temptress' of short-term gratifications throughout the life of the main `actor', Dr. Dross narrated from the subjective point of view, when good but passive, conscience is easily suppressed. The story unfolds in the first person, until a near-fatal existential depression, before Genie, his real protagonist, intervenes, and suppresses Nyxie, his real antagonist. The second volume, looks at conscientious behaviour under the pressures of expediency in an idealized version of the main events, from the intervention of Genie onward when active conscience turns a loser into a winner. The story moves out of personal contexts and gradually includes other `actors' beside the main protagonists, now Dr. Mir and his Genie. The question is to what extent is conscientious psychology private, as contrasted with collective or public behaviour. The question of whether there are any rules or laws of conscientious behaviour is dealt with.