[HPforGrownups] Re: Real child abuse

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 146198

sistermagpie wrote:
> I believe in situational ethics as well, but I don't think that 
> always explains everything going on in canon.  I mean, there's 
> situational ethics and then there's just looking at the world as 
> whatever you do must be justified and whatever that other person did 
> was wrong and you're quite righteous for seeing so. 

Bart:
One must understand that "situational ethics" or "moral relativism" is 
based on misconception that situations are single-pointed. In fact, any 
given decision will have, in the long run, an infinite number of 
consequences; some good, and some bad. Regardless of what your moral 
principles are, any given action is likely to support some, and violate 
others. We just need to determine which factors have more weight.

Western culture is derived from two, often contradictory sources: 
Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian. Much dramatic conflict in literature is 
a moral person caught in a contradiction. For example, in the HP series, 
the Greco-Roman part of our culture tells us to obey the rules, respect 
authority, and tell the truth. The Judeo-Christian part says that we 
should give up our own immediate needs for the greater good.

In children's literature, these are usually resolved based on the lesson 
the writer wishes to teach. In the case of Harry Potter, it seems to be 
3-fold:
1) When your personal duty conflicts with your duty towards humanity, 
choose the latter.
2) Accept any punishment one receives from failing your personal duty as 
part of the task.
3) If those in authority deserve their authority, they will recognize 
what you have done, remove the punishment, and aware you accordingly.

	Bart