[HPforGrownups] Re: Ethics and Choices (was: On Power)

[Meg Demeranville]

No: HPFGUIDX 56633

 jodel wrote: I think a Magical theory and Magical ethics course ought to be
a first & second year required course like flying & broom safety.

Think about it. There are bound to be differences and additional
ramifications to ethics where it applies to the use of Magic. And 25% of the
student body is Muggle-born. They do not have any backgroud for this. Malfoy
was right about that at least; "They don't know our ways."

And the kids from wizarding families could probably do with being sat down
and have things explained to them in terms that make sense to an 11-year-old
rather than a 3-year-old, with some of the reasons behind it.
 
I reply:
It is very possible that it just hasn't been thought about. It seems to me
that Dumbledore assumes that for the most part people are going to help one
another out and explain things to one another. I think he assumes that as
kids interact with one another, there will be a sharing of ideas and
thoughts from all walks of life. But I don't think it works as well as he
may have wanted it to. But then again, we are limited by Harry's POV. In
Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, the kids may be more open with one another about
the differences between purebloods and Muggle-born students. I am reminded
of a theory my class had when we all applied to medical school. One of our
advice books read "In answer to the question 'Where do you see yourself in
ten years?' do not say prison." We all laughed at the time, but the only
reason that is in the book is that somewhere, someone actually gave that
response. It's kind of like that with Magical Ethics, I think. Until someone
demonstrates a need for the class and shows that the way things are going is
not working, there will be no class. Plus, how would one teach it?
Everyone's background and thoughts on the subject seem to be different.
There don't seem to be a unified idea about what is acceptable in the
Wizarding World. We have people like the Malfoys who demonstrate no
tolerance toward Muggles or Muggle-borns in contrast to the Weasleys, who
although being pureblood, are accepting of everyone. Then we have the
cluelessness of the Muggle-borns. Although, we don't know what the procedure
is for explaining the Wizarding World to Muggle-borns. I think they assumed
that Harry would have known about the Wizarding World.
 
Ok, I need to go study. Stupid classes.
 
-Meg
 
Read the untold story of life as a first year medical student at:
As The Scalpel Turns - http://www.livejournal.com/users/megd/


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]