On Children and the "Other" (was:Re: On the perfection of moral virtues)

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 169510

> houyhnhnm:
> 
> What happens after Voldemort is defeated?  This is 
> the problem I have with a standard of morality that 
> defines goodness and badness according to whether or 
> not one is on the "right" side (assuming the "right" 
> side is not open to interpretation, which in the case 
> of Voldemort and his followers I am perfectly willing 
> to concede, but not in every case.)
> 
> If people are not good or bad according to their 
> acts--bullying versus fair play, lying versus 
> truthfulness, etc.--but only as they oppose the Big 
> Bad of the day or not, then when Voldemort is gone, 
> there will be no standard of right and wrong, just a 
> chaos of everyone for him or herself, alliances 
> constantly breaking and reforming, until finally 
> a new evil Dark Lord emerges to restore a sense of 
> order again. 
> 
> With this system of morality there must always be 
> a Dark Lord.  Without a Dark Lord, there is no 
> North, South, East or West. 
>  
> I will accept anyone who is one my side?  That is 
> not tolerance.  Tolerance is a commitment to the 
> the belief that *everyone* has a right to be.
>


Alla:

Well, sure, everyone has a right to be on the *right* side, I agree 
and should be accepted if they want to.

But what if somebody does not want to? Do their beliefs and actions 
still have to be tolerated?

For the record, I do believe that Malfoy's redemption is coming, yes, 
hate him as I am.

But what if it does not? After all in book 6, he at the best was 
wavering, was he not at the end?

So, suppose Malfoy decides that being with DE and Lordie Voldy suits 
his fancy better. Does that mean that Trio should applaud him and 
accept his choice? I mean, applaud probably is the wrong word, but 
you know what I mean.

Are they still obligated to think that he is a wonderful person to be 
considered you know, tolerant?

I mean, I would not respect any of them if they do so, personally.

Malfoy on the side of death eaters to me means that he decided to 
carry out Lordie ideas and actions.

He IS an enemy then, is he not?

Not saying that he should not be forgiven if he decides to come back, 
but if he is choosing to be with DE, um, that's his choice, but with 
all the consequences, no?


Sure, in the time of peace people morality should not be defined just 
by whether they are opposing Voldie or not, I agree.


But it is not just that they oppose him is what defines their 
morality, no?

Supposedly, they support better ideas, yes, more tolerant ideas, 
equality for species - meaning following some of DD ideas, etc.


So, I do not know, I think even in the time of peace it is defining 
for the person whether they supported Dumbledore or Voldemort at 
least partially.


IMO,

Alla