Killing != Murder Re: The twins? (was: Dumbledore's Fall)

[Bruce Alan Wilson]

No: HPFGUIDX 170853

SSSusan:

"(I'm kidding of course, but there are folks who are so 
adamant that Harry "can't" become a murderer, that this really would 
be a fun way to avoid that little dilemma of how to kill Moldy 
without someone intentionally murdering him.)"

BAW:
For at least the ten thousandth time *not all killing is murder*. The vast majority of ethical and legal systems recognize that killing in self-defense or in defense of another is not murder.  Killing an enemy combatant in wartime is not murder.  If Harry does end up killing Voldemort, the act would come under one or another.  It would be justifiable homicide or at the very worst manslaughter.  

Besides, murder is "the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought."  It has been stressed again and again that the farther Tom Riddle traveled on the path he chose, the less HUMAN he became.  Hence, to the extent that he is no longer human, killing him is not murder; nor even manslaughter, for he is hardly a 'man' any more.  There is also the element of "malice aforethought"; shooting a rabid dog does not involve malice.  One does not do so to punish it for having contracted rabies; one shoots it to keep it from biting someone--or, from biting someone whom it has not yet bitten.  Voldemort is at least as dangerous as a rabid dog, and putting him down would be as much a public service.  Also, as I said before, the Wizarding community seems definitely old fashioned, so the Medieval concept of 'malicide' may apply.  Certain persons for their egregious offenses against the community could be declared outside the protection of the law, and any citizen could slay such persons with impunity.  If anyone deserves such a contemnation, it is Voldemort.



Bruce Alan Wilson

"The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man.  Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish.  Only the bicycle remains pure in heart."--Iris Murdoch



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