Chapter 3, Hegel and Brecht: The Character as Subject or the Character as Object?, Does Thought Determine Being (or Vice Versa)? through Empathy or What? Emotion or Reason? Summary and Analysis

In "Does Thought Determine Being (or Vice Versa)?", Boal presents the idea that Hegel, Aristotle, and others present characters as determined by inherent qualities, while Brecht's characters are in process and created by society. The Pope's actions are dictated by his position. Boal also uses the example of the four American presidents in power over the course of the Vietnam War, all forced by position to act not as humans but as the president. Ruling classes act as part of their class, using reform only as a temporary state...