Realistic Resolutions - WAS: Slytherins come back

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 180771

 
> 
> Magpie:
> But as a_svirn has pointed out, this isn't about house elf values 
> since Wizards don't respect the values of all magical races just 
> because they are the values of the magical race. As to what it says 
> about slavery, it certainly says that slavery isn't a bad thing (and 
> actually can be construed as a good thing) if you have a willing 
> slave. 

Pippin:
Where does canon indicate that it's good? Does anyone finish the
story and want to be a House Elf? Or think that  Harry, Ron or
Hermione should replace Kreacher with another Elf when
Kreacher dies? 

Sure, we might want to own a House Elf if we could fool ourselves
into thinking we'd always treat them kindly, but how is that
different than wishing we could sample a dose of amortentia or
experience the bliss of an Imperius curse? 


Magpie:
The advantages to having a slave are certainly shown in a 
> guilt-free way. Iow, it shows that in some situations there's nothing 
> inherently wrong with being the master to a slave.

Pippin:
Treating something in a guilt-free way, for instance by treating 
alcoholism as a disease instead of a moral failing, does not mean that 
there is nothing wrong with it. But the alcoholic does not choose to 
become an addict so we don't blame him for that even if he gets benefits
from drinking. 

Harry did not choose to make Kreacher his slave, so why should he 
feel morally diminished by owning him? Kreacher would feel as hurt if 
Harry refused to let him cook or clean as if Harry tried to pay him.
 If I were Harry, I might want to contribute the wages Kreacher 
should be earning to SPEW or its successor.  But I don't think
Rowling was obliged to tell us  that in order to round out the story.

I never saw the problems of the wizarding world as something that
JKR was arranging like ninepins so that Harry could knock them down
all in one go. He has no power to make fundamental changes in human
nature -- the impulses that drive people to make slaves are not
going away. Improvement for the Elves will therefore depend on
people understanding that there are negative consequences to the
status quo which  can be averted if things are changed. 

The consequences of House Elf slavery aren't the same as the
consequences of human slavery, but they are still negative, and anyone
who reads the books carefully understands what they are. Certainly
the Trio does. How could Harry possibly think the benefits of getting
a sandwich when he wants one  compensate for losing Sirius?

Pippin