Justafiable Means and Good using the Tools of Evil to Fight

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 36741

-Chyna Rose:
> > Here is a semi-random question that entered my brain one 
fine Wen moring. Is there a true, clear line between Good and 
Evil? Does a means considered 'Evil' (use of 'dark' magic and 
artifacts)automatically become good just because the 'Good' 
side uses it? And who's to say that they are on the side of 'Good' 
in the first place?
> > After all, I'm sure that V's convinced 100% Right.

Finwitch:> 
> Unforgivable Curses. *real* Moody never used them, even after 
one  Crouch authorised it. Crouch was not good- neither one of 
them, although the son was worse. None of the "good" side has 
EVER used one  of them.
> 
> Dementors. They are NOT good beings.
> 
> Baddies consider obedience a virtue, goodies don't. (and I'm 
NOT sure  which side Snape belongs to!)


Are you sure about the real Moody?  IIRC, Sirius only says (ch.27 
GoF) that he tried to bring people in alive, and didn't descend to 
the level of the Death Eaters. He obviously didn't resign from the 
Aurors after they were authorized to use the Unforgiveables. 
Moody also brings people in alive so they can be turned over to 
the Dementors, and from his lines in the Pensieve, he's okay 
with that. 

I think that in the Potterverse there is a division between good 
and evil, but that it is shown as difficult for human beings to 
judge. Obedience, in the Potterverse, is not a virtue in itself, nor 
is it one of the traditional RL seven. In the Potterverse, it can be 
either good or bad, depending on who is being obeyed and for 
what purpose.

Chivalry is one of the Gryffindor traits, according to the Hat. 
Chivalry implies obedience to the chivalric code, which turns on 
the existence of a moral order. Gryffindor represents doing what 
is right, rather than what is easy. Sometimes it would be easier 
to obey the rules than to do what is right according to chivalry, ie 
defend the weak and the innocent.

 In fact, when Harry breaks a rule for selfish purposes, he's 
usually punished, either directly or metaphorically with the loss 
of something he values. When he breaks a rule in order to 
defend someone weaker than himself, he's generally rewarded.

 Harry's judgement is shown as maturing in this area. The 
rescue of Norbert is carried on by wholly illegal means, for no 
better reason than to keep Hagrid from getting caught doing 
something he shouldn't have done.  Harry suffers the loss of his 
cloak for it. 

 In Buckbeak's case, Harry first attempts to save the hippogryff 
legally, and aids its escape only because he is convinced the 
creature is innocent and harmless if properly handled, in 
contrast to the dragon Norbert, whom Harry knew to be 
unmanageable. 

Pippin