The focus of this thesis is belief. Belief here is defined as the human act of believing in the validity of a thing, concept or creature, without a necessity of empirical evidence to sustain the...Show moreThe focus of this thesis is belief. Belief here is defined as the human act of believing in the validity of a thing, concept or creature, without a necessity of empirical evidence to sustain the conviction. Human society itself is founded upon belief as it requires humans to believe in abstract concepts that maintain human society such as mercy, justice, and honour. According to Grunner (227), religion is of central importance in the Discworld novels, particularly in The Last Hero, Pyramids, Reaper Man and Hogfather. Pratchett lays emphasis on the necessity of belief and the nature of religion to be a societal tool, belief rather than religion is the central focus of these novels. Pratchett holds that belief is a necessary capacity for the human condition; that the ability to believe is humanity’s defining characteristic. Thus belief – and the humans that express it – always hold authority over the religion – and the Gods that inhabit it – that it happens to create. The evidence for the argument presented above is found in the relationship between the Divinities and humans. The Discworld is inherently polytheistic, as many religions exist and all their gods exist in varying degrees of manifestation and power. These Gods are part of the Divinities class. Other members are Anthropomorphic Representations (henceforth ARs) and Auditors. The nature of Divinities is further explored in chapter three. For now, it suffices to say that the relationship of humans to their belief is mediated through the Divinities as on the Disc. What is believed in must exist. Thus, the relationship between Gods and humans reflects on the nature of human belief whereas the relation between Auditors and ARs reflects on the human capacity to create their social reality. Both these relations will be discussed in chapter four. It is through the relations between Gods and humans, humans and ARs, and Auditors and ARs that this thesis seeks to prove its argument.Show less
