The topic of virtue, in the novel, is preceded by a discussion over pleasure. Rameau protests that the selfish way is the better way, "don't you think society would be great fun if everybody did what appealed to him," (p.66). He establishes that he is free of obligation, "an idler, fool, and good-for-nothing," (p.68), with no responsibility of anything living from moment to moment. His comments contradict what the Philosopher believes of pleasure, which are at times self-indulgent for him, however, attempting to improve the human condition is also filled with pleasure. He speaks of drinking wine and laughing with friends as a form of pleasure. He then goes into a story

I: Your dignity strikes me as funny.

Rameau makes a subtle contradiction himself in this passage. "I have to deal with people who are bored, and I have to make them laugh," (p.69). One could argue that his job of entertaining dinner parties is, in a way, a virtuous act. His jesting to make other people laugh, on a larger spectrum, is trying to improve human condition just as someone might visit the sick to make them feel better. The fact that Rameau does not have this intention is, however, what clearly does not make it a virtuous act.

Rameau's comments in this particular passage exemplify the double-ness or hypocrisy people portray in order to seem virtuous. He sends the underlying message that people are innately selfish and virtue is "a discipline that is not in their nature," (p.69). He uses the words "respect", and "liability," which insinuates that virtuous acts are far more selfish than pure self-indulgency. Respect by definition means to honor or to have consideration for. This is what makes people believe that doing in things in a respectful way will lead them to virtue. Virtuous acts are a form of validation to make people feel good about themselves, just as a frequent party-goer or socialite feels better with public praise. Even though on the surface these two groups seem completely different, they both have similar intentions. Trying to live a life the way one thinks one should is ultimately hypocritical, and violates virtue. While people think they are leading good lives they are actually more at fault by living in denial of their intentions.

of a man who found pleasure in giving to his family and points out that that would please him as well. Rameau explicitly mocks The Philosopher's views. "What funny you people you are," (p.67). The way the P

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Approximate Word count = 1209
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)