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Travis Prinzi




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We hope you enjoy reading our Harry Potter discussion weblog. Please feel free to leave a comment and return often for more discussion.



 
 
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Need to see the latest Harry Potter movie. Then ha...


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Hogwarts, Hogwarts,
Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare
And full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff.
So teach us stuff worth knowing,
Bring back what we forgot,
Just do your best
We'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot!



1: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2: Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3: There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4: Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5: Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6: His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8: The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9: The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10: More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11: Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12: Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13: Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Thursday, June 10, 2004

Moral culpability in Harry Potter series

It seems that moral culpability in the world of Harry Potter mirrors the teachings of the Catholic Church about certain intentions being necessary for an individual to be personally guilty of an evil action. At the end of "Order of the Phoenix", Harry attempts to use the Cruciatus, an "unforgiveable curse", against Bellatrix Lestrange to avenge the death of Sirius Black. Bellatrix explains why it doesn't work "righteous anger won't do" and "you have to really want to cause pain." So in Catholic moral theology one who doesn't realize what he is doing can perform an evil action but not know or understand that it is objectively wrong and therefore cannot be held personally culpable. Harry was unable to make the curse work; likewise the ignorant person would be unable to commit a sin.

Bellatrix could be seen as the responsible party, however unlikely, for the formation of Harry Potter's conscience in this matter. It could be argued that had he attempted the Cruciatus against her again and succeeded that he would be culpable and worthy of Azkaban. However this does not happen.
posted by Pauli at 12:35 AM


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