Frigate picked up the subject again as if it were a football and he was going to make a ninety-yard run. Doggedly, he said, “About 1978, I think it was, I read in a psychology book that one out of ten men seemed to be a born leader. It was implied that this trait was genetically determined. The Ethical study has validated that and moreover pinpointed the genetic complex responsible.
“Also, it said that ten percent of Homo sapiens had always inclined to a certain degree towards homosexuality. The ten percent had certain inclinations, that is. Not all of the ten percent were practicing homosexuals, but the tendency was there. This had been the rule since the Ethicals started making duplicate records of humanity. And it was assumed that this had been so since Homo sapiens originated.
“The tendency is genetically determined. What interested me about this is that in 1983, a few years before that, too, the militant homosexuals claimed that they had made a free and conscious choice to be homosexuals. In other words, they weren’t born homosexuals, they had deliberately chosen to be such because they preferred that sexual way of life.
“They talked as if, when you reached the age of reason, you made up your mind about your path of action. What they ignored or failed to consider, was that, if this were true, then heterosexuals also made their free and conscious decision to be heterosexual. But this just wasn’t so. A heterosexual was so because he was born so.”
“What about … ?” Burton said.
“You were going to say, ‘What about those who have homosexual tendencies but behave heterosexually? Or those who are bisexuals? Or those who marry women but have homosexual affairs on the side?’ There are varying degrees of homosexuality … and heterosexuality … of course. And in any society where it was dangerous to be openly homosexual, the homosexual had to hide his or her tendency. In any event, homosexuality or heterosexuality is not a matter of choice. It’s inborn.
“That makes no difference. Being homosexual or not is not a matter of morality. It’s not a person’s decision. It’s what you do with your homosexuality or heterosexuality that matters, that is moral. Rape, sadism, violence are evil whether or not you’re homosexual.”
Sophie spoke up. “I can’t help overhearing you two, you’re so loud. What’s all this about free will and determinism and genes and choice? I was very interested in those subjects when I went to college. Really interested. I got passionate about such things, I used to enjoy getting angry at those who didn’t agree with me, the stupid jerks! But when I graduated, no, some time before that, I saw that … well … thinking you can solve anything by discussing philosophy or those other matters was foolish. There’s no end to it, no possible irrefutable conclusions. Fun, maybe, but profitless. Sophomoric. It really is. So I quit talking about it. If somebody wanted to discuss such things, I steered them to some other subject or just walked away, though I wasn’t rude about it.”
“Sure, that’s right!” Frigate said. “You were right! But the point is that the Ethicals have put these subjects beyond the range of discussion or opinion. They’ve proved these points. We’re no longer in the dark!”
“Maybe. I have to agree with Dick about that. Maybe. But that doesn’t matter. What was it Buddha said? ‘Work out your own salvation with diligence.’ Whoever Mr. or Mrs. Diligence is. I’ve been looking for Mr. Diligence for a long time. I even borrowed Diogenes’ lantern to help me. Which, by the way, the old Greek didn’t need. He was honest, why should he go out looking for another honest person?
“Anyway, as Dick said, we all act as if we had free will. So who cares if there is such a thing? All I know is that only I, I alone, am responsible for my moral behavior. Heredity, environment, excuses. Excuses, alibis: scorned. Race, nationality, tribe, parents, religion, society: excuses. I decide what I am. And that’s that!”
“Was that why you burned your souffle yesterday?” Frigate said. “You didn’t just forget about watching it. You decided to cremate it?”