Hermione In Trouble?

[ohneill_2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 120673


SSSusan wrote:

> I'm with Katie on this one, and Cory, I think you should be less 
> apologetic for holding the view you do!  
> 

Now Cory:

Duly noted. :)

On a more serious note, in expressing some reservations about JKR's 
message, I don't want to imply that I disagree with her.  My 
objection to the message is more along the lines of its applicability 
to real life.  I agree with the principle that rules are not 
absolute, and should be broken when the greater good requires it -- 
particularly when, as in OotP, the rules themselves exist for the 
purpose of oppressing a particular group or achieving some other evil 
purpose.

My point is simply that, in the real world, that is rarely an easy 
ethical determination to make, because very few things or causes are 
purely "good" or "evil."  I could pick up a newspaper right now and 
find about a half-dozen different instances of a perceived wrong 
being committed somewhere in the world, and in each case the alleged 
wrongdoer would justify his actions by claiming that the ends justify 
the means (out of a desire not to get off-topic and to avoid 
politics, I will refrain from doing so).  Are these people right or 
wrong?  It's all a matter of perspective.

In short, I agree with JKR, but only because good and evil are so 
clearly delineated in the Potterverse.  In real life, I usually do 
not buy into "ends justify the means" arguments.

--Cory