War (Was: Debatable ethical issues in OotP and HBP)

[rbookworm46]

No: HPFGUIDX 142367

lucianam73
That sent shivers down my spine. In two very small paragraphs, in 
short sentences coming out of the mouths of the biggest heros in the 
series, JKR demolishes centuries of religious, ethical and moral 
debate. Yes, children, it's allright to kill Death Eaters. As many 
as you can!

Lealess:
I think it is a dangerous message to send to youth, that violence is 
the answer to conflict. The first time I finished HBP, I had a very 
strong reaction to Harry and his friends dropping out of school to, 
essentially, go off to war. There are too many children fighting 
wars in this world. I was disturbed by Harry's professed willingness 
to kill, as well. 

Bookworm:

JKR has not indicated that violence is the answer to all conflict.  
We are not talking about a couple of bullies in the school yard.  
Harry doesn't use violence to stop Dudley's bullying – he avoids 
Dudley, and he responds verbally.  "So who did you do today, 
Dudders?  I know you did Mark Evans yesterday." (paraphrased)

The last chapter of OoP was titled: "The Second War Begins."  This 
story is about War.  Voldemort wants power.  He wants to control the 
Wizarding World.  How do you stop someone like that *without* the 
use of force?

<<"War is a violent way for determining who gets to say what goes on 
in a given territory, for example, regarding: who gets power, who 
gets wealth and resources, whose ideals prevail.... War is the 
ultimate means for deciding these issues if a peaceful process or 
resolution can't be agreed upon.">>
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/war/

Is there anyone who believes that Voldemort is willing to 
negotiate?  For good reason, Voldemort has been compared to Hitler, 
among other dictators.  He wants absolute power.  He is willing to 
kill those people who oppose him.  He has pronounced one group of 
people, purebloods, as superior than all others and will kill the 
others just because they aren't purebloods.

As far as lucianam's comment that JKR "demolishes centuries of 
religious, ethical and moral debate", I would argue that she is 
highlighting the centuries of debate.  

<<"As [Historian James T.] Johnson notes, in its origins just war 
theory is a synthesis of classical Greco-Roman, as well as 
Christian, values.  If we have to "name names", the founders of just 
war theory are probably the triad of Aristotle, Cicero and 
Augustine." >>
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/war/

<<"The just-war tradition consists of a body of *ethical* reflection 
on the justifiable use of force.">>
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/justwar.htm

I was also concerned about Harry's apparent decision to drop out of 
school to go to war.  My reservations aren't about him going to war, 
just in the way that he does it.  I understand his reasoning, but 
think there is still much for Harry to learn.  Also, he will need 
the help of his friends – that is one of his strengths.  If he 
leaves his friends behind, he will be that much more vulnerable.  

We've known since PS/SS that Harry would have to defeat Voldemort.  
How can he do that without fighting?

Ravenclaw Bookworm