On lying and cheating

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 165339

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" wrote:
> 
> Carol responds:
> <snip>
> You're still missing the main point, which is that *Harry is 
> receiving credit for the HBP's research and creativity.* <snip>

Mike:
I catch your point Carol <bg>. But I think many people are still 
debating whether Harry was cheating or not in using the book. Having 
read your "main point" phrased several ways <and glad you're not 
exasperated> lends me to think that you do not ascribe to the 
cheating part of this debate with regards to use of the book. Is that 
right?

Instead, your main point, which I do agree with, is that Harry's 
taken credit for the "Prince's" research smacks of plageristic 
oppurtunism. Fundamentally, I would have liked Harry to have caught 
Slughorn alone after class and told him that he was following 
superior instructions from his marked up Potions book. Realistically, 
I understand Harry's reluctance to do so. 

And I think this stems from all the non-potion spells that Harry 
wants to explore. Harry does not want to lose that oppurtunity and, 
on a fundamental level, I don't believe it is Harry's place to point 
out to Slughorn that he (Sluggy) assigned an inferior book for his 
NEWT students. Moralistically, yes Harry should share his superior 
instructions. IOW, his new reputation for potion brilliance is not as 
important to Harry as the chance of losing the oppurtunity to 
discover all these cool new spells, imo. But...but, that does not 
exonerate Harry from claiming credit by proxy of all the Prince's 
work.

It's this two pronged part of the problem that lies at the base of 
this debate. Fess up to the Prince and lose the new spells or keep 
quiet with the side result of him receiving undeserved acclaim for 
potions brilliance. And with him not minding the accolades, that 
swings it for Harry. It's a closer call for those of us that don't 
think using the book is cheating. 


> Carol, wondering why she's still arguing when it's obviously wasted 
effort

Mike:
You know, I'm sure you saw everything I just posted, since most of it 
draws from your main point. I wonder why you didn't try to emphasize 
those points more? I think you might have gotten more converts, like 
me. <vbg>

A little side note: I noticed that most of the guys come down on the 
not-cheating side, while most of the ladies prefer the is-cheating 
side. Not inferring anything, just observing the stats. Unless, of 
course, to infer that us guys are genetically predisposed to try to 
cheat the system. <veg>

Mike, wondering if the IRS will buy this excuse :D