The Philospher's Stone (was: Harry's Protection (was Re: Questions))

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 119501


Eloise:
> > But you ask an interesting question regarding why Voldemort is 
> > censured for his search for immortality whilst Flamel isn't. As 
> > suggested above, the search for immortality was a respectable 
> > scientific (viz, alchemical) pursuit for generations, even down 
> > to Isaac Newton. Flamel's apparent hogging of the secret is 
> > ethically troubling, especially as one suspects that Voldemort 
> > would be equally reluctant to share. Of course immortality for 
> > the human race as a whole would be disastrous; even if just the 
> > WW were given access to the secret and the Elixir, then 
> > overcrowding would no doubt ensue before too long, however just 
> > think of how many lives it might have saved. And if there are 
> > other reasons why immortality is deemed not so good a thing by 
> > the WW, then why did Flamel and his wife embrace it for so long? 
 
Geoff:
> Dumbledore comments towards the end of PS:
> 
> "You know, the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing. As 
> much money and life as you could want! The two things most human 
> beings would choose above all - the trouble is, humans do have a 
> knack of choosing precisely those things which are worse for them."
> (PS "The Man with Two Faces" p.215 UK edition)
> 
> "Flamel's apparent hogging" might have been merely being careful to 
> whom he revealed information about the Stone because of the 
> potential for misuse. 


SSSusan:
Excellent explanations.  Which, for me at least, beg the question:  
What would be a "proper" or "appropriate" use for the stone, then?  

Siriusly Snapey Susan