Values of Potterverse WAS: Re: muggle baiting vs/Being good and evil

[houyhnhnm102]

No: HPFGUIDX 155232

Alla:

> No, right values like opposing the ideology 
> that one group of wizards for some reasons is 
> better than another group of wizards

houyhnhnm:

Real tolerance is indeed a virtue.  I see little evidence 
of it in wizard society, which seems to me to be pervaded 
by an ingroup/outgroup mentality.  Defining the ingroup 
by the particularly stupid criterion of "blood" purity 
may be less prevalent among those on the "good" side, 
but then they have other prejudices:  Gryffindors vs 
everybody else, British vs. foreign wizards, wizards 
vs. other magical beings.  I don't see tolerance as a 
value of the WW on any side.

Alla:

> saving people from death for selfless purposes,
> like risking your life while saving innocent man 
> from terrible fate

houyhnhnm:

Harry and Snape (whom you don't consider one of the good 
guys)  Who else?

Alla:

> standing up to the dark wizard

houyhnhnm:

But you have to leave the dark wizard out of it because 
my question is what goodness do the "good" in the 
Potterverse show besides opposing Voldemort.  When 
Voldemort is finally defeated how will good behavior 
be distinguished from bad behavior? 

Alla:

> like being friends with "dark creature"

houyhnhnm:

I have often wondered what would have been the attitude 
of Peter, James, and Sirius toward Lupin had they 
surprised his secret and had he *not* been a member 
of their House.  Would they have been friends with 
him then or would they have persecuted him?

Alla:

> like understanding that friendship is worth a lot,

houyhnhnm:

The Slytherins of Harry's year have friendships and 
they seem to value them.

Alla:

> And then yes, breaking the rules ( especially if they 
> are done for noble purposes

houyhnhnm:

What was the noble purpose of Fred and George when they 
tested their skiving snackboxes (designed for the sole 
purpose of allowing students to get away with playing 
hooky and to make F&G money, of course) on first years?  
What was the Marauders'noble purpose?

Alla:

> lying, cheating on homework, etc, IMO is not 
> considered a big deal.

houyhnhnm:

???!!! (I am bereft of words.)

This is some anemic kind of system of morality.  I'm with Betsy Hp.  
I'm not very comfortable with the WW, either.  It *is* ugly.  Muggle 
and proud of it.