Binns and the COS (was Re: Professor Binns_

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 57686

Ersatz wrote:

> Why doesn't Binns believe in the CoS?
> 
> IIRC, Binns is hounded by his students to tell more about the CoS,
and
> while he is eventually willing to recount the legend, he dismisses
it
> as something other than solid historical fact.  But certainly
> Dumbledore and McGonagall believe in the existence of the CoS, and
my
> sense is that several of the other professors do, too.  So why not
Binns?

Because Binns deals with solid, verifiable facts.  There is, previous
to CoS, no proof that the Chamber exists, only rumors, and therefore
Binns does not believe in it.  Dumbledore is certainly not of this
mindset, as he has readily believed several scenarios (Harry's account
of Voldemort's rise, Sirius' innocence,etc.) without solid proof. 
McGonagall too tends to remain open-minded regarding rumors.

Of course, we know very little about Binns' personality.  But what we
have been shown reveals a very skeptical person (well, ghost). 
Dumbledore and McGonagall hear the stories of the Chamber, match this
with their knowledge of history, and accept that the Chamber may
eactually exist.  Binns maintains that it is a rumor until proven
otherwise.

-Corinth