Little Fuzzy · Chapter
XV explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. Ernst Mallin is called to testify under veridication about the sapience of the Fuzzies. He initially struggles but eventually gives a truthful and detailed explanation of the difference between sapient and nonsapient mentation, confirming that the Fuzzies are conscious, symbolic thinkers. His testimony devastates Leonard Kellogg, who realizes he killed a person. The court adjourns with Kellogg's bail canceled, while Holloway's remains in place. The chapter ends with a celebratory mood among Holloway's friends.
Themes in this chapter
Sapience and Definition of Personhood
Mallin's testimony under veridication provides a clear definition of sapience—conscious thought, symbolization, and abstraction—and applies it to the Fuzzies, confirming their personhood.
Justice and the Legal System
The court uses veridication to ensure truthful testimony, and the judge's decisions on bail reflect a nuanced application of justice, distinguishing between flight risks.
Ethics of Scientific Inquiry
Mallin's internal struggle and eventual honesty highlight the ethical responsibility of scientists to acknowledge the truth, even when it contradicts their prior beliefs.
Characters to notice
- Ernst Mallin
Testifies under veridication, providing a lucid and truthful explanation of sapient mentation, confirming the Fuzzies are sapient.
- Jack Holloway
Observes Mallin's testimony with sympathy, reflecting on the value of honesty. His bail is not canceled.
- Leonard Kellogg
Overwhelmed with guilt and misery during Mallin's testimony, realizing he killed a sapient being. His bail is canceled.
- Judge Pendarvis
Presides over the court, rephrases questions to Mallin, and cancels Kellogg's bail while retaining Holloway's.
- Leslie Coombes
Prosecutor who admits he considers Kellogg a bail risk and withdraws his protest.
- Ben Rainsford
Part of the crowd celebrating after the adjournment, along with George Lunt and others.
Key passages
“The sapient being is a symbolizer, and a symbol communicator; he is able to convey to other sapient beings his ideas in symbolic form.”
A sapient being uses symbols to communicate abstract ideas to others.
Mallin defines sapience as the ability to create and use symbols, a key point in the trial.
“I am a murderer; I killed a person. Only a funny little person with fur, but she was a person, and I knew it when I killed her”
Kellogg admits to himself that he murdered a sapient being, acknowledging Goldilocks as a person.
Kellogg's internal realization of guilt after Mallin's testimony.
“Maybe everybody ought to be veridicated, now and then, to teach them that honesty begins with honesty to self.”
Holloway reflects that veridication could help people learn to be honest with themselves.
Holloway's sympathetic observation after Mallin's truthful testimony.