Moral Ambiguity in Main Characters

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 127076


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "abadgerfan2" <ABadgerFan2 at m...>
wrote:
> 
> I recently read a crtique of the "Potter" books that caused me to 
> briefly question... 
> 
> The first criticism was that the books "clearly teach that obedience 
> to rules or morality is required only when such obedience serves you 
> best."  ... is do we want to teach our youngsters such values? 
>
> 
> Your views?????


bboyminn:

Other have already made the key point which is that rules and law are
not the same as morality. That which is immoral is not necessarily
against the law, and that which is accepted by law/rules is not
necessarily moral. Law and morality, while related, are not one and
the same.

So, morality is not measured by adherence to rules and law, but by
conscience, and a genuine sense of right and wrong. While Law and
Morality, while related, are not one and the same.

On a long list of history's most honored people, among them  Jesus,
Ghandi, and others, you will find a list dominated by people who chose
to live and die for Moral right, independant of or strongly in
opposition to legal and bureaucratic /right/.

Further, those who live with ridged adherence to rules/law are not
making moral choices, they are in fact, abdicating all moral
responsibility. By blindly adhering to the rules, they can comfortable
go their whole lives without every having to morally challenge
themselves, without ever having to consult their conscience, without
ever having to make the horrible choice between what is truly right
and what is truly wrong. It's the easy path, that why it is the least
morally developed path.

Two key points-

-Kids are not stupid.

-The lesson, especially the life lessons, were learn best are the
lessons we teach ourselves.
- - corollary: Revelation is a greater teacher than explanation.


Kids are not stupid, they see moral ambiguity every day of their
lives. They see the school bully who is ignored and sometimes even
supported by the students and school administration because he/she is
rich, popular, and a jock. What kind of example does that set for
kids? How does that establish and re-enforce good moral character?

In the Harry Potter books we see rule/law ambiguity, but I think these
books allow kids to realize for themselves that which is unjust and
morally wrong. Moral truth and moral right are revealed to them, and
that revelation comes from within; that makes in the most powerful
moral lesson. Further, the book show the readers that regardless of
the struggle and risk, the right thing to do is fight for justice and
moral truth. Aren't these the things you REALLY want you kids to
learn? Would you prefer that your kids internally developed a true
sense of right and wrong, or blindly followed the established
bureaucracy like sheep to the slaughter?

I think the Harry Potter books can and do help kids and adults come to
an better internal revelation of right and wrong. They develop a sense
of justice and injustice, and can be motivated to have the courage to
stand up and take action in support of true moral right. 

Courage, justice, right, truth, conscience aren't these the true
foundation of morality? 

I can't imagine that a parent could want more for the moral
development of their kids or for themselves.

Just adding my thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn