Good moral core (Re: Dirty Harry/Clean Harry)

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 117168


Alla:
> Do you feel that free will is given to us by G-d? If I understood 
> Geoff's position correctly, that was his POV.
> 
> That I understand perfectly ( not sure if I agree or not, but at 
> least understand).
> 
> I think I at least agree with you that free will is not with us 
> from birth.
> 
>  I think I am in the most agreement with Susan - that Harry does 
> it  because it "feels right", but who gave him this "moral 
> compass"?


SSSusan:
This may sound like a copout, I realize, Alla, but what I'm arguing 
is that the moral compass may, to some degree, just "be there."  
Think of Geoff's comments about the students he's taught over 30 
years and how they differ.  Sometimes we just can't explain those 
differences.  Sometimes we *can*--e.g., Del expresses that her 
Christianity colors her moral choices greatly.  Other times it just 
seems to be there without its being some specific set of moral 
strictures that have been explicitly taught as one would learn 
Christian doctrine.  So likely in that case it just comes in large 
part from life experiences and reinforcement.  ["Wow.  THAT felt 
good!" for instance.]

I've argued Harry may have identified with others *outside* his 
nasty upbringing and determined he wanted to be like them, rather 
than like the Dursleys.  I understand that we can't know WHY Harry 
was able to do this when other kids grow up repeating the exact 
negative, abusive patterns they saw in their adults.  So some of 
it's a mystery, I suppose.  Like Neri's been saying.  There's 
nature, there's nurture, and there's free will.  Who can account for 
free will?  Harry chooses.  He just does.  

I *think* Del's asking about this because, since we don't get 
explanation from Harry about how he chooses, she just wants to know 
WHY.  And I don't think we always can.

Siriusly Snapey Susan