[HPforGrownups] Snape's morality (was: Re: Snape in the Shrieking Shack)

[SnapesRaven]

No: HPFGUIDX 112802

Hannah wrote: 
<snip> 
"I do agree up to a point, that DEs are very nasty and that Snape was 
certainly a nasty DE for a time, because JKR has said so.  I also 
think Snape is moral, in that he follows a personal code of 
behaviour, and seems capable of doing the 'right' thing even when he 
would *like* to do something else.  His morals may be rather 
different from those of everyone else, but if he sticks to them, 
then that still makes him a moral person (IMO).

Hannah, who is pretty rubbish at understanding all this philosophy 
stuff, and will be sobbing into her pillow tonight because she 
*wants* Snape to be nice, and *knows* he's probably not."

Now SnapesRaven:
Good morning!
Interesting thoughts, altogether. I'd like to add one though. 
BUT first of all: Don't cry, Hannah, for I (as his Raven) DO know that Snape is indeed a nice person - he just hides it very professionally.   ; )

Are some of you familiar with Piaget's and later Kohlberg's theory of moral development? I dealt with it in psychology and it's rather striking.
There are, according to Kohlberg, three levels of morality (preconventional, conventional and postconventional), each consisting of two stages. These stages vary from moral reasoning dependant on anticipated punishment to the universal ethical principle. The last stage, however, is said to be rarely reached; it is the stage of independent consciousness.
What I want to say is that Snae probably doesn't fit into moral patterns which simply show by abiding by laws or preventing being ounished. his morality is farther developed than - as it would seem to me at this point - Percy's, for example. Percy sticks to whatever his boss (an authority) orders and adapts to his anticipated role in wizarding society. He does what he considers to be best for himself and doesn't seem to reflect on his actions very much. But Snape changed his mind and became a spy for the light when he was a Death Eater. It shows, in my view, a highly developed conscience and reflexivity. Snape puts his life on the line for his belief. He doesn't seem to look out for his own advantage, because he could have lead an easier life than the one he chose. That's how I look at it. 

Kohlberg's morality model also provides a clear guideline for moral 'diagnosis', i.e., 'assessment' to one of the stages/levels. According to this guideline, it is secondary *which* moral choice you make in a situation - most important is the reasoning: *why* does someone decide the way he/she does? 
And here it becomes clear to me: You said before that Snape even makes the 'right' choices when he would like to act differently. But he doesn't. I think in the reasons for his 'right' decisions lies the secret's key.
; )

I do believe in a GOOD Snape, if not in a 'nice' one!


SnapesRaven




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