Special treatment - yes or no/Rules

[Tonks]

No: HPFGUIDX 146045

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "sistermagpie" <belviso at a...> 
wrote:
> I have come to the conclusion now that perhaps the reason for this 
> is that JKR sees it as important for people to always make choices 
> based on what they want to do, right or wrong, and never based on 
> something outside of themselves.  The DEs are all sort of childish 
> in their dependence on Voldemort to tell them right and wrong. So 
I think Rowling just may see it as important as everyone to feel 
above the rules at times--by which I don't mean they should demand 
special treatment, but that her people always make choices based on 
what they want and not what someone else thinks is right.  

Tonks here:
I am a bit confused by what you say.  Surely you don't mean that 
people should just do as they will, come what may.  I do not think 
that is what JKR is saying at all.  I just got a book for 
Christmas "The Wisdom of Harry Potter" and it goes into the moral 
choices concepts.  He uses Kohlberg's theories of moral 
development.  I recommend this book to anyone interested in 
exploring the moral principles in the books.

My own views are that JKR wants the reader and Harry to find the 
higher law, the ancient law if you will.  The law that is higher 
than earthy governments or social norms.  Deep within each of us, if 
we listen, we do know what is "right".  It seems to me to be 
implanted in all humans somehow.   How else can you explain that 
everyone, in all places, in all times see, for example, that murder 
is wrong.  There may be some differences in what counts as murder, 
etc., but the basis idea is there.  And it is there in all cultures, 
all people, over the course of human history. Where did this come 
from? 

I think that there are stages of moral development and that the 
highest level would be shown in that person who could go against the 
norm of their group, or their government to follow what they "know" 
in their heart to be "right".  As DD says what is right is not 
always what is easy. 

There are rules that need to be observed as a matter of human 
custom, such as DD being polite to his enemies on the tower. There 
are rules that make sense and should be observed for reasons of 
social control of base impulsive.  The person who follows the higher 
course does not just break rules willy-nilly.  They follow the rules 
and customs like everyone else, until a rule or custom violated 
the "higher" law. (They are not following earthly rules or higher 
rules because it "feels good do it", or it is what they "want" to 
do. They follow them because it is the "right" thing to do 
regardless of their desires. They are, as DD, noble.)

JKR, IMO, wants us to learn along with Harry, to have the courage 
along with Harry to follow the "higher road", and do what is right 
over what is easy.  This does not mean to be a rebel for the sake of 
being a rebel, or being a hard a--  for the sake of showing that no 
one can boss you around.  It is not that at all.  The most gentle, 
kind and loving person can, like DD, stand against the croud and 
follow a higher law.  Also, odd as it seems, can someone like 
Snape.  And Harry's minor rule breaking is just that, minor. School 
boy stuff. As he matures he will follow the basis rules for the same 
reason that DD would, but Harry will also follow the higher road 
when necessary.

Tonks_op