[HPforGrownups] Moral code of HP books (was Being Good and Evil)

[Tim]

No: HPFGUIDX 154592

Julie:
Marietta's action is wrong, but does Hermione compounding one wrong
with another suddenly make it right? I realize that two negatives make
a positive in mathematics, but I don't think it works that way in ethics.
As the old saying goes, "two wrongs don't make a right." But the moral
code of the HP books from all sides seems to be two wrongs DOES
make a right. ... Hermione brands Marietta for telling on the DA,
Lupin is willing to kill Peter for betraying the Potters, etc.

Tim:

Well you're right of course two wrongs do not make a right. But when has 
that ever worried justice systems worldwide? Punishment for crimes 
(whatever they are) are retaliatory acts, designed at setting the 
recipient up as an example, a deterrent through example. So this is not 
simply a WW thing but a RW thing as well it is just that most reasonable 
people hand over "that happy power" (severus in CoS) to those in 
privileged positions who generally know the most fitting reply. In that 
respect it is perfectly understandable to me that Hermione set up some 
kind of recourse for a situation that exposed the DA, especially over 
the people she could control - especially as no-one was to know about 
the DAs existence in the first place.

I might be so bold as to remind you that in some cultures' ethics that 
two "wrongs" you say may not necessarily make a right, but they do bring 
closure to the situation  for at least one side of the argument. However 
the issue of retaliation for me should always fall short of death or 
killing, no matter what the circumstance


Julie:

 > In the HP world there are few wizards consistently taking the moral
 > high ground, except for Dumbledore. And JKR considers him the
 > epitome of goodness. That's not because he's perfect (as he isn't),
 > but because he never answers a wrong with another wrong, not
 > intentionally at least. (IMO)

Tim:

So true, that is why I loved DD. Especially his solutions to the 
problems he faced.

 > Julie, who is not disputing that Marietta's betrayal should have been
 > revealed, but not in such a nasty (evil) way

Tim:

It is only a facial blemish after all. And although it was backhanded 
and conniving I wouldn't call it evil.