My shocking idea

[sofdog_2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 73704

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "T.M. Sommers" <tms2 at m...> 
wrote:
> sofdog_2000 wrote:
> > what drove Tom Riddle to evil and his pursuit 
> > of power (or email me). 
> 
> Who said anything 'drove' him to evil?  As Dumbledore said, one's 
> choices define one.  Riddle chose the path he took.  To say that 
> he was driven to evil implies that he has free will and no 
> responsibility for his actions.

Sof:

This seems like a semantical argument. When I say 'drove' I mean what 
was Riddles motivation. Harry's motivation to do good is simple. He 
doesn't want to be a bad person, and he wants to be worthy of his 
mother's sacrifice. Harry's choices are guided or 'driven' by these 
influences. So, what influences guided Tom Riddle to choose evil?

Of course, my question assumes that everyone starts out on an even 
playing field, and that no one is inherently evil. Voldemort does 
clearly state that he thinks there is no good or evil, only power.

So, then my question really is 'what drove young Tom Riddle to an 
amoral quest power through that included murder by the age of 16?'