Inaugural address and Mandy Croyance on Assumption

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 97816

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Amanda" <mandy_croyance at m...> 
wrote:

Mandy Croyance:
> Why do we always believe what we are told? Could it be because 
Harry 
> typically believes the word of those he `trusts' and as he is the 
> protagonist we are inclined to identify with him? Not to mention 
> that it is far easier to do so as that is subconscious than 
> consciously search for evidence that proves otherwise. 
> 
> The truth is that the characters, like normal people, are not 
always 
> correct. The too are subject to inherit bias and misinformation. 
> Some simply lie. 

Geoff:
We have to take what we are told as the correct parameters until 
other information from different sources either genuinely contradicts 
what we have thought up to that point in time or throws doubts on the 
trustworthiness of the information.

If we are told something verbally without any back up information, 
then we have to make a subjective response to it. If it comes from a 
friends or someone we have proven tobe reliable in the past, then we 
are likely to assume that the data is accurate.

In other words, for things to function, we have to assuem that what 
we are told is "innocent until proven guilty", i.e. reliable until 
proved fallible or deceitful.

If I were in Harry's shoes, I would be very likely to believe those 
who had shown me affection, support and help. These would therefore 
include Dumbledore, Hagrid,  McGonagall, Hermione and Ron while those 
who apparently didn't give a damn about me or my feelings - folk such 
as Snape, Filch or Draco Malfoy - would be on my list of people to 
distrust and avoid. I am sure that we all have learned to adjust our 
view of some people we have known in the past as we have seen more of 
them and their views.