General Thought/Question about Potions, No Spoilers

[Ben]

No: HPFGUIDX 66917

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jsmithqwert" <jsmithqwert at h...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jsmithqwert" 
> <jsmithqwert at h...> wrote:
> > I was thinking about the whole "is Snape an effective teacher" 
> thing 
> > that has been battered around indirectly on a number of posts and 
> > suddenly came to the realization that it doesn't matter because 
> > potions, as a subject, is generally (not always but almost always) 
> > excessive.  With very few exceptions, the various potions that we 
> > have read about so far are complicated and unduly awkward 
> > replacements for a much simpler spell.  
  Why are potions and herbology 
> > considered "core" subjects that _every_ witch and wizzard needs to 
> > know pretty extensively?  What makes them worth pursuing to a great 
> > degree when there seem to be spells for almost all of their uses?  
> > I'm probably overlooking something and I'm quite sure that I don't 
> > understand the WW very well, but, what gives?  Any thoughts.
> > 
> > jsmithqwert
> 
> One more thought I wanted to add to this.
> 
> Isn't potions pretty straight-forward anyway.  Just look up what you 
> want to do and follow the instructions.  What is there to learn?  
> Sure its great to expose the students so they know what the stuff 
> looks like, but is that really an education, does it build skills or 
> demand analysis.  I don't think so.

I suppose you could say much the same for cooking. It's simple - just follow the recipe book and you'll end up with an edible meal, but if someone has never attempted to make pastry before, or chop vegetables, or create a lump free sauce, they can come to grief very quickly.
I agree with some of what you have said - many potions are a substitute for spells, but in some cases it might be more effort to cast the spell, or to keep it in place. Could Crouch have successfully transfigured himself to look like Mad-Eye Moody for al those months? Wouldn't that have taken up a great deal of his energy. Much simpler to brew a potion, take swigs at regular intervals and get on with the job. 
So in some cases a spell might be a more effective route to take, in others potions. It depends on the situation.

Ben