Psychological experiments (Was: Re: Theory on Snape - MASSIVE)

[Josh Warren]

No: HPFGUIDX 109311

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Nora Renka" <nrenka at y...> 
wrote:
> Both deal with the issue of everyday people placed into situations 
> of responsibility with oversight.  The best HP analogy (see, Elves, 
> I *can* do one!) is perhaps how people were willing to go along 
with 
> Crouch and functionally carry out the punishments he ordered, even 
> as harsh and autocratic as they were.  I'm reluctant to put 
Umbridge 
> in this category--she's just a lil' too independently nasty--but 
> doing something like what she did out of a perceived fidelity to 
> one's superiors...awfully close.  Milgram's basic question was 
> whether to be loyal to personal moral standards or loyal to a 
> system...Percy? 

I think overall it sounds like more confirmation of 'absolute power 
corrupts absolutely', although I read it as being in some form or 
fashion. Even Dumbledore has fallen prey, by thinking himself nearly 
infalliable. Fudge...he started off begging for DD's help, and then 
grew to resent him as his own self-confidence emerged in the 
position. Umbridge... yeah, she's so high up, she thinks she can get 
away with anything... as long as she thinks she has some rationale to 
excuse it... although authority in of itself is usually enough for 
99% of the population.

Now as for Percy... yeah, it's going to be quite interesting to see 
how he falls out from the event of OotP. While he swear allegience to 
the new ministry (and whose side will they be on now?)? Has his 
bought too far into Fudge's hatred of DD to switch back? i.e. DE!
Percy. Or will his shame drag his sorry tail between his legs and 
return him home?

Ahh... the intrigue!
Josh