Morality-Ethics-Values

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 112834

Catlady (Rita Prince Winston) wrote:
> SSSusan wrote in
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/112389 :
> 
> << Is JKR's model so recognizably a '50s system that we should all
> just be *assuming* that the moral/ethical considerations are being
> handled at home? >> 
> 
> It seems quite clear that different homes are teaching different
> moralities/ethics. Homes which teach equal rights for all magic-
> using humans versus those which teach the greater rights of 
> purebloods. Homes which stress the importance of good sportsmanship 
> (like Cedric wanting to replay the match he won because Harry was 
> affected by the Dementors) versus those which stress the importance 
> of winning, and perhaps instruct their children in different means 
> of cheating. And one presumes that there are some who emphasize 
> obedience to the official authorities versus those who emphasize 
> following one's conscience.
> 
> So if Hogwarts did have some kind of class in Ethics, called 
> Religious Instruction or Civic Hygiene or Reading the Socratic 
> Dialogues, there would be endless complaints from parents that DD 
> was trying to brainwash their children against their parents' 
> values.


SSSusan:
I guess my question to this would be, "So?" :-)  I mean, as was 
pointed out during the discussion of this topic, more of the burden 
for this type of instruction IS being passed onto the schools, both 
in the US and the UK.  Whenever morality, ethics, "Character 
Education" or [gotta love this] "Civic Hygiene"(!) are included in a 
school's curriculum, lessons are likely to go against SOME parents' 
teaching.  But if schools are expected to do it, that's part of what 
will happen.  And would that be more true for Hogwarts than for any 
other school?

Actually my question concerning this was, "Is Hogwarts based *enough* 
upon the '50s system--when this instruction apparently WASN'T 
typically part of a school's function--that we readers are to assume 
no such instruction in morality & ethics would be expected at 
Hogwarts?  In other words, my question isn't, "Would the parents 
stand for it, given that their views of what's moral would vary?"  
Rather, it's "Would the entire culture of Hogwarts--students, staff, 
parents--feel that it's unnecessary because this aspect of a child's 
development is always 'handled at home'?"

Hoping I'm making sense, but suspecting that I'm not.  'Tis Monday, 
you know.

Siriusly Snapey Susan