Kant and Snape and Ethics and Everything

[puduhepa98 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 150268

This thread started with Sydney's post at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/message/150177
 

Nikkalmati:

I love this thread and I'm sorry I had to snip so much good  discussion.  I'm 
afraid I can't offer much on the philosophical analysis,  but this discussion 
opened my mind up to why I am willing to accept Snape as  essentially good 
and why other listees are clamoring for more!  To me, if  SS is pursuing a good 
end through discipline and adhering to his duty, he is a  good character 
(Kant).  He doesn't need redemption; he is redeemed from the  minute he came back 
and changed sides.  His redemption through the pursuit  of the right path may 
have yet to be recognized by certain characters  <g.>, but he can fulfill his 
role in the story as DDM without  changing.  On the other side, we see a 
variety of comments such as "why  can't he be more like Dumbledore, if he really is 
on the side of the Light" or  "he will have to change and admit his mistakes 
to be good." These kind of  comments confused me because I did not see the 
basis for them.  Now I  get it.  These listees are Aristotelian in their outlook 
and desire the  "emotions of good will."  Thanks for helping me see another 
point of view  and where its coming from. :=)
Nikkalmati