The Philosophes of Fact Dossier

After a long day of research and observation, you begin to stroll back to your place of stay at the Travellers' Coffee House, and you decide to cut down a street that you soon recognize to be the location where you first started your journey of research and inquiry. Right in front of you stood the stained, redbrick schoolhouse where you first observed the silly antics of girl number 20: M'Choakumchild's National Charity Schoolhouse. You begin to continue your route when you notice the front door of the schoolhouse is wide open with no one inside or anywhere to be seen. Naturally you walk up to close the rather large wooden door when you notice the chalkboard directly inside. On its surface is a message addressed to "all Philosophes of Fact," and immdetiately you slip inside to read the message's contents in full detail:

Dear Philosophes of Fact,

If you're reading this then it means you know what's at stake. There is danger in the air, and I am not talking about the factory conditions or the rise in crime rates: I'm talking about the human tendency to shroud oneself in emotion and impulsive reaction instead of facing deliberately and rationally history's most uncomfortable and difficult problems. In this case, it's the problem of human suffering. No one said progress would be easy, and too often we want to detach from the problems of history by escaping into fanciful notions of revolution, utopia, and fantasy. Instead of aiding man in the process of solving the world's most pressing problems, such flights of fancy only makes things worse. The "friends of Fancy" will tell you that Reason and Calculation are modes of inquiry that are "too cold & too detached," but in reality it is Fancy that detaches us from reality. To understand my point, think of the recklessness of Harthouse, Tom Jr., and Slackbridge as you continue to read. The real promise for a better world comes through avenues of science, reason, and gradual political reform. Pay attention to Mr. Gradgrind, for instance; examine how he makes steps towards reform both as a political actor and as a father. The world may have its problems, but Logic and Reason are not among them!

The real danger lies in the overreaction of fanciful agitators such as the female revolutionary I'm sure you've spotted as you've made your journey to Coketown. Agents such as her are the reason your esteemed Professeur had to disappear. I know you want to know more about this matter (especially as it relates to your mentor, Auguste Comte), and I will explain all of it in full detail soon. For the time being, know this: I have been using the name Boz as an imposter. Charles Dickens didn't visit your inn the other day; in fact, no one really knows where the popular writer stands when it comes to the secret war of Fact versus Fancy. Although he called us to Coketown, no one knows his role yet. I, however, am on the side of Fact, and suffice it to say, you made the logical choice as well.

We will be in touch soon. Your mentor and I have made much progress, and I have news that will set the world on its right course for good! In the meantime, beware the Friends of Fancy's most radical members, the Sisterhood of Shelley. They want to stop our progress at all cost, but we cannot allow it.

Sincerely,

George Boole, President of the Brotherhood of Boole

18 April 1859

*******

When you finish reading the message, the amount of questions racing through your mind are more than you can calculate. George Boole!? Who was George Boole? Why would he pose as Boz? Is he hiding his identity from the radical Sisterhood?!? What was he implying about the disappearance of Professeur Comte? And who was this female revolutionary agitator? She must be the one you've spotted or heard about when receiving certain mysterious telegrams.

There were too many questions, so there was only one thing to do: You had to continue your research:

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