[HPforGrownups] Re: Dumbledore's master plan

[Lawrence Carlin]

No: HPFGUIDX 138420

--- lupinlore <bob.oliver at cox.net> wrote:

> > Larry now:
> > 
> > Would you have one's basic nature, or character as
> > deterministic? Do you suggest that a person with a
> > powerful predilection for addiction is incapable
> of
> > overcoming that addiction? That a person of the
> most
> > reprehensible character cannot literally "see the
> > Light" and choose to repent? You mention the
> bible,
> > what does the bible say of the penitent? If choice
> > cannot be made to overcome character, there would
> not
> > exist a single penitent.
> > 
> 
> Well, one way around that is a belief in
> predestination.  Not 
> popular these days, I know, and I don't believe in
> it myself, but 
> plenty of people have believed it over the
> centuries.
> 
> More to the point of JKR's story, just because
> character is basic 
> doesn't mean it's simple.  It's entirely possible
> for someone's 
> actions and choices to be determined by character
> but have character 
> be so complicated and internally divided that
> actions and choices 
> are often contradictory and seemingly inexplicable. 
> This may, 
> perhaps, be where she is going with Snape.  I don't
> know, but it is 
> a possibility.
> 
> Also, even if you believe in character as a prime
> determinent, 
> external stimuli play a role.  If you are by
> character an apple 
> thief but never run across an apple in your daily
> life you probably 
> won't steal any apples.  On the other hand, if you
> work in an apple 
> pie factory, you will probably turn out to be a
> criminal (even if a 
> petty one).
> 
> Similarly if Snape had a job where he worked by
> himself all day long 
> the abusive and short-tempered side of his character
> might never 
> have come out.  But putting him in front of a
> classroom was asking 
> for disaster.
> 
> 
> Lupinlore



Larry now:

Predestination is unpopular for a reason, as it
negates freewill, and therefore tor very idea of
choice.

Hamlet could have chosen to decide, Lear could have
chosen more wisely, and Othello could have controlled
his jealousy. We all have flaws and weaknesses; the
test of character is how we choose to deal with those
flaws. Do we blame our circumstances or our pasts for
poor choices and bad behaviors? Or do we take
responsibility, controling our worst and weakest
aspects.

Larry

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